literal

adjective

ˈli-t(ə-)rəl How to pronounce literal (audio)
Definition of literalnext
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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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 Turn your nails into literal creamsicles by filing them into a clean rounded shape before topping with the vibrant shade. — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 12 July 2026 There are, in fact, literal family members on the grounds staff, including two sets of brothers among the team. — Nick Pachelli, Time, 11 July 2026 The stakes are consistently, palpably high in a story about love that is forbidden in the most literal, systemic sense — and felt in brief, ecstatic moments of release. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 July 2026 While there were no literal art references at Balenciaga, Pierpaolo Piccioli’s first couture collection for the house was so artful. — Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for literal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literal
  1. historical
  2. factual
  3. true
  4. documentary
  5. nonfictional
Adjective
  • There are historical examples of teams that seemed dead in the water only to catch fire and make the playoffs.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
  • The interest is less in reproducing historical jewelry — no one is asking clients to dress like Julius Caesar — than in giving contemporary pieces the patina, uniqueness and narrative of objects that appear to have lived another life.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 16 July 2026
Definition of historical
Adjective
  • Sanders noted that the president’s proclamation, which imposed a partial travel ban on holders of Antigua and Barbuda passports, contained several factual errors.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
  • The service has launched on the App Store, Google Play and a dedicated website with more than 100 titles across crime, drama, reality, dating, factual entertainment and docs.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 14 July 2026
Definition of factual
Adjective
  • The same may be true for military personnel, law enforcement officers, commercial drivers or others who are subject to strict workplace drug-testing programs.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 July 2026
  • This is the true bureaucracy standing in the way of housing that families can afford — not federal programs or subsidies helping those very families stay housed.
    — Jake Day, Baltimore Sun, 19 July 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • And then fans will have to wait for the documentary film on Bottom of the Hill — which is still in the works — to experience what this concert hotspot was like.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 20 July 2026
  • De-Lestrade was behind hit show The Staircase and won an Oscar for documentary Murder on a Sunday Morning, about the Brenton Butler case in Florida.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 July 2026
Definition of documentary
Adjective
  • Pee-Wee as Himself, the 2025 Emmy award winner for best documentary or nonfictional special, is also among the nominees.
    — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
  • That delirious excess befits the essence of Lapid’s method, which is a fusion of fiction with indigestibly and irreducibly nonfictional elements.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of nonfictional

Browse Nearby Words

literacy
literal
literalism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Literal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literal. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of literal for Spanish Speakers

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