descriptive

adjective

Definition of descriptivenext
as in graphic
having many features or details He told a descriptive story about his trip to Spain that captured our attention. An overly descriptive account of the movie that left little to the imagination.

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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 descriptive The collection will number 354, each with a likeness and a few lines of descriptive text. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 24 July 2026 These sentences are part of a four-plus-page descriptive riff, one of many passages that lend the novel a teeming, avid opacity. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 July 2026 All the trappings of rage—the non-descriptive mentions of drug intake, the unspecified sadness, the shock-rock innuendos—are unshakeable. — Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026 That descriptive layer of metadata is what makes any record findable and safe to use. — Michael Leone, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for descriptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descriptive
  1. graphic
  2. realistic
  3. vivid
  4. expressive
  5. picturesque
  6. photographic
  7. accurate
  8. specific
Adjective
  • As the graphic below shows, Fernandez-Pardo is comfortable running in-behind down the channels and sending in crosses, as well as beating his defender and cutting balls back for team-mates.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Scotland campaign features chunky cable-knit, jacquard, Fair Isle, graphic intarsia and patchwork knits along with V-neck pullovers and cardigans.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of graphic
Adjective
  • While Patchett’s depiction of equine behavior is fairly realistic, the decisions of the main character in this central tale are less so.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Modular systems, portable data and realistic fallback plans keep one dependency from becoming the foundation of the whole business.
    — Atul Sabharwal, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of realistic
Adjective
  • That job needed vivid descriptions that made each performance feel irresistible.
    — Connie Etemadi, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Kilmeade still has vivid recollections of his time visiting Ground Zero on the actual day planes crashed into the two World Trade Center towers.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of vivid
Adjective
  • In the 19th century, flamenco dancers began using the abanico as an expressive prop, as Cuban song and dance styles such as the guajira influenced the dance form.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The season’s biggest trends are comfortable, expressive, and accessible—which is where Amazon comes in.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of expressive
Adjective
  • Together, the couple showcases a love blossoming in limited time in the picturesque backdrop of the island.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Rooms Located on a picturesque row of colorful Victorian homes, Hotel Albatross blends in seamlessly with the historic architecture of Ocean Grove.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of picturesque
Adjective
  • The 1970s saw electronic detectors take over for photographic plates, increasing the detector sensitivity by an order of magnitude.
    — Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Think 19th century photographic storytellers Julia Margaret Cameron and Oscar Gustave Rejlander.
    — Leah Ollman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of photographic
Adjective
  • The more accurate framing is that many of these fees are supplier-imposed and disclosed in booking terms that travelers frequently do not read in full.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Maher noted that many of those candidates were heavy favorites to win but agreed that his statement was not accurate.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of accurate
Adjective
  • The Vikings will use him on special teams and as a game-plan-specific blitzer.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Lives built around specific products, even at a few thousand followers, are becoming a viable path to affiliate income.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of specific

Browse Nearby Words

descriptions
descriptive
descry
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Descriptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descriptive. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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