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 Also tossed in are picturesque but gratuitous use of famous tourist landmarks as background, near-superheroic training montages, credible intimate character dynamics, a ruthless villain (Johan Heldenbergh as Vanaken) and action that in the home stretch goes absurdly over-the-top. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 13 Jan. 2025 Crystal Scott grew up playing in the picturesque San Gabriel Mountains, but her home at the base of the mountains was one of thousands destroyed in the Eaton Fire. Tom Hanson, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025 The passage is so picturesque that famous photographers like Slim Aarons and Gray Malin have photographed it. Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2025 The park’s second volcano, the inactive Chato Volcano collapsed thousands of years ago, creating a picturesque turquoise lagoon in its crater. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for picturesque 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picturesque
Adjective
  • Visitors will enjoy an immersive experience, with a large digital screen bringing these iconic covers to life in vivid detail.
    Daniel Rodríguez Gordillo, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2025
  • To supporters of the new law, the Riley case is a vivid illustration of why the bill was needed.
    David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 29 Jan. 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
  • Lynch, who has died just a few days shy of his 79th birthday, was so extraordinary that fairly early in his career, his last name became the foundation of a descriptive adjective.
    Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Bleak would be a nice descriptive word to use when considering that 11% are disqualified as overweight, 8% for drug abuse and 4% due to mental health issues.
    Lonnie Groot, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near picturesque

Cite this Entry

“Picturesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picturesque. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on picturesque

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