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
This week, the piece will take a more literal place among the stars when the European Space Agency broadcasts it into space.
—
Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 26 May 2025
Nearly a decade earlier, Answers in Genesis opened a Creation Museum in nearby Petersburg, Ky., where exhibits similarly try to make the case for a literal interpretation of the biblical creation narrative.
—Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
The draft threatens Lionel and David’s taciturn romance, while Shattuck’s script hinges more on gestures and exchanges than literal declarations of feeling, and both the traumas of war and existential uncertainty about his sexuality and desires eventually plague David.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
The Lynx were literal seconds away from a ring last year.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 26 May 2025
Nearly a decade earlier, Answers in Genesis opened a Creation Museum in nearby Petersburg, Ky., where exhibits similarly try to make the case for a literal interpretation of the biblical creation narrative.
—Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
The draft threatens Lionel and David’s taciturn romance, while Shattuck’s script hinges more on gestures and exchanges than literal declarations of feeling, and both the traumas of war and existential uncertainty about his sexuality and desires eventually plague David.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
The Lynx were literal seconds away from a ring last year.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literal
Adjective
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Our assessment is grounded in a thorough analysis of Caterpillar’s existing valuation relative to its recent operational performance and historical financial state.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Peekaboo Animation, Fabrique Fantastique Targeted at kids 4–8 years old, this educational and adventurous comedy series introduces kids to famous figures like Mandela and Mozart in their childhood, blending humor and historical insight.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Remember when Google demoed its Bard AI tool in 2023 and its factual error led to its parent company losing US$100 billion in market value?—
Greg Edwards,
The Conversation,
30 May 2025
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Puig agreed to waive any legal protections for suppression or exclusion of new information in the factual basis.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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The formula for ‘true tackles’ is slightly more long-winded: tackles + challenges lost + fouls committed.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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Setbacks may tempt you to stray from your vision, but staying true to yourself attracts the right clients, collaborators and opportunities.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
27 May 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
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 9 Jun. 2025.
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