Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vivid differ from other similar words?

The words graphic and picturesque are common synonyms of vivid. While all three words mean "giving a clear visual impression in words," vivid suggests an impressing on the mind of the vigorous aliveness of something.

a vivid re-creation of an exciting event

In what contexts can graphic take the place of vivid?

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

a graphic account of combat

When can picturesque be used instead of vivid?

The meanings of picturesque and vivid largely overlap; however, 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

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 vivid Eventually, Valentin also finds escape in Molina's description of the fictional classic musical, which comes to life on screen in vivid Technicolor musical numbers. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 27 Jan. 2025 Before talking to your doctor, spend time planning the best way to paint a vivid, accurate description of your symptoms, suggests Dr. Robert Gee, assistant dean of student affairs and a behavioral sciences professor at Ross University School of Medicine. Angela Haupt, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025 Matharu regards Sexton as the Row’s original rebel — not just for disrupting men’s fashion with sharp silhouettes and vivid colors but also for installing windows that allowed passersby to peer inside (before that, storefronts were cloaked in heavy curtains). Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2025 He is distracted from his pain each night as his window dresser cellmate paints a vivid picture by re-telling his favorite MGM-style musical. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for vivid 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vivid
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  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    Jack Schnedler, arkansasonline.com, 20 Jan. 2025
  • In addition to vinyl, which is now a No. 1 bestseller on the retailer, Amazon’s lineup includes crewneck sweatshirts, graphic tees, CDs, cassettes, and posters featuring the abstract illustration.
    Anna Tingley, Variety, 17 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
Adjective
  • 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
  • And the other numbers on his stats page were just as picturesque.
    Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The sponsorship will take center stage at three specific events: the Cook Out Clash on February 2nd, Phoenix Raceway on March 9th, and Richmond Raceway on August 16th.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Trump deployed active-duty troops to the border in his first term, and the previous Biden administration did as well, but both were in response to specific instances.
    Brad Dress, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In the lyrics, the Argentine artist reflects on her emotions, which lead her to seek revenge in an expressive manner.
    Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The mix of vulnerability and boldness came through in full force in this performance, which included some audible jitters but also expressive moments where Wang’s milky legato meshed with the attentive, even tender, playing of the lower brass.
    Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near vivid

Cite this Entry

“Vivid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vivid. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vivid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!