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
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Recent Examples of literal
Mom has watched games here for literal generations — her father, brother and then youngest son on the field — but tonight is a unique experience.
—
Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
There is a lot of connected tissue with the first film, and some of it is literal.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 3 June 2025
Which is to say nothing of the literal value of developing homegrown careers — tens of millions of euros potentially.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
When compounded by phone tag, these gaps risk worsening conditions — making strategic communication a literal lifeline.
—John Samuels, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
There is a lot of connected tissue with the first film, and some of it is literal.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 3 June 2025
Which is to say nothing of the literal value of developing homegrown careers — tens of millions of euros potentially.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
When compounded by phone tag, these gaps risk worsening conditions — making strategic communication a literal lifeline.
—John Samuels, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literal
Adjective
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To say how Sugar Hill’s Black residents fared in court would spoil the enjoyment of this suspenseful tale, which has put Lurie on a new path in writing historical fiction.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
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Demand has stayed relatively strong as inventory levels for used vehicles – 2.2 million – remain low compared with historical levels.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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In turn, Bivins brought in another friend to execute the deadly plot, according to an FBI criminal complaint and the factual statement filed with his plea agreement.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2025
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Have three response templates ready: factual correction for misinformation, values reaffirmation for criticism, and security protocol for threats.—
Gillian Oakenfull,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Mosquitoes are a true scourge, responsible for up to one million human deaths per year.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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Hoang said the online allegations — none of which were true — led to threats of violence against the university, and there was talk that some parents withdrew their children because of them.—
Stephanie Yang,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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Tufano explains how documentary filmmakers increasingly are moving to a territory-by-territory approach to sell their features in the absence of acquisitions for worldwide distribution.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
27 May 2025
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Published 76 years ago, the novel is the core of Raoul Peck’s documentary portrait of the writer.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
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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 17 Jun. 2025.
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