Synonyms of literalism

literalism

noun

ˈli-t(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm 

as in realism

realistic depiction in art and literature

if audiences ever got the literalism they claim they want in movies, they'd be fast asleep by the second reel

Synonyms & Similar Words

• realism
• naturalism
• verisimilitude
• representationalism
• authenticity
• verismo
• photo-realism
• grittiness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of literalism

Even for an artist like Kinsella who’s never been shy about autobiographical literalism in his music, some of the revelations felt shocking. — Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 4 May 2026

The larger point here is that the new justice and the governor are strong advocates of literalism and originalism — legal doctrines holding that constitutions and laws should be read precisely as the authors wrote and understood them. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026

Exponents of Biblical literalism, moral conservatism, and skepticism toward secular intellectual trends can be found in all parts of the United States and Canada and in most religious denominations. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026

But if Judd’s literalism and Caro’s illusionism represent the extreme and irreconcilable ends of the artistic spectrum during the ’60s and ’70s, Bove’s work integrates and combines these apparent artistic antipodes with a contemporary twist. — Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026

Video

Literally

A word that (literally) drives people nuts