Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective picturesque differ from other similar words?

The words graphic and vivid are common synonyms of picturesque. While all three words mean "giving a clear visual impression in words," picturesque suggests the presentation of a striking or effective picture composed of features notable for their distinctness and charm.

a picturesque account of his travels

When could graphic be used to replace picturesque?

In some situations, the words graphic and picturesque are roughly equivalent. However, graphic stresses the evoking of a clear lifelike picture.

a graphic account of combat

When is it sensible to use vivid instead of picturesque?

The synonyms vivid and picturesque are sometimes interchangeable, but vivid suggests an impressing on the mind of the vigorous aliveness of something.

a vivid re-creation of an exciting event

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of picturesque Its claim to fame, aside from its picturesque beaches? Katie Kiefner, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2025 The setting of the city is quite picturesque, nestled between the Elbe River and Alster Lake with many canals in between. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 1 Feb. 2025 The country features a diverse landscape and boasts everything from picturesque vineyards and waterfront golf courses to dramatic mountains perfect for skiing and more. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2025 Produced in a state-of-the-art palenque in the historical and picturesque city of Puebla, Mexico, this mildly smoky mezcal offers yet another way to gently enter the mezcal world. Richard Carleton Hacker, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for picturesque 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picturesque
Adjective
  • The design of the car is a vivid homage to Shaquille O'Neal's illustrious NBA career in the 1990s.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
  • The display delivers sky-high contrast and rich, vivid colors, with ample brightness and wide viewing angles.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    Samuel Clanton, arkansasonline.com, 1 Feb. 2025
  • One such method that falls under that category and aligns with Davidson's graphic description is ablative lasers, defined by the FDA as lasers that burn off the top layer of skin.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The exhibition catalogue is prefaced by a poetic yet sharply descriptive text by Giulia Ruberti, which gives just one version of the stories that some of the works might depict, with their protagonists named by single initials.
    Michael Bracewell, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025
  • There was a recent kerfuffle online as a bunch of creatives shot down a report that Netflix has writers write overly descriptive dialogue in case viewers are watching something passively (e.g. folding laundry, checking email).
    Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near picturesque

Cite this Entry

“Picturesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picturesque. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on picturesque

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