as in historical
restricted to or based on fact
a literal account of the explorer's adventures is actually a lot less interesting than his own exaggerated stories
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 literal
Then there’s founders like Archie Scott III taking on literal roadblocks.
—
Alexandra York, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
That representation is literal.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
Gaga even began wielding a literal disco stick in live performances.
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
The importance of sound and reclaiming one’s voice in a toxic relationship takes more of a literal shape when the vacationing pair overhears a neighboring couple violently fighting in the villa below them.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Alexandra York, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
That representation is literal.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
Gaga even began wielding a literal disco stick in live performances.
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
The importance of sound and reclaiming one’s voice in a toxic relationship takes more of a literal shape when the vacationing pair overhears a neighboring couple violently fighting in the villa below them.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literal
Adjective
-
Season 3 of Mayfair Witches, starring Alexandra Daddario, will dive deeper into the mythology of witchcraft, introduce new ‘spellbound’ families and feature some of the historical happenings of Salem, the infamous town of witch trials and folklore.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The index’s rapid decline from the $570 resistance zone has exceeded our initial $540 target, and the technical setup now points to further downside towards $470 and $430, aligning with historical support levels from early 2023 and late 2022.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Felonious Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes has launched another appeal of her conviction and sentence, claiming that a three-judge panel that shot down her first appeal in February was confused on one point, illogical on another, and made factual mistakes in hearing her case.—
Mercury News,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2025
-
By coordinating the release of factual messaging to friendly media institutions across both digital and traditional communication channels, messaging can reach stakeholders quickly and clearly.—
Jeffrey Bartel,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Voters are not famous for their patience or, as Joe Biden could explain, their fondness for higher prices, something that’s true even if this is a one-off adjustment.—
The Editors,
National Review,
28 Mar. 2025
-
When each channel is evaluated independently, the true value of awareness campaigns becomes invisible.—
Cody Greco,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But Matheson pointed out that there was a lack of documentary evidence that that was the rationale for the purchase.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2025
-
The legislation would require people to show documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or a birth certificate, when registering to vote.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2025
Video
Literally
A word that (literally) drives people nuts
Cite this Entry
“Literal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literal. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share