literalism
noun
lit·er·al·ism
ˈli-t(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: adherence to the explicit substance of an idea or expression
biblical literalism
2
: fidelity to observable fact : realism
Synonyms
Examples of literalism in a Sentence
if audiences ever got the literalism they claim they want in movies, they'd be fast asleep by the second reel
Recent Examples on the Web
This is the first one post-Barbie, which has ushered in a new wave of literalism on the red carpet.
—
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 May 2024
Together, the films also prove that literalism isn’t always required in stories that impart messy truths about humanity.
—Esther Zuckerman, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2024
The Biblical literalism question points to the answer: non-fundamentalist Christians have shifted toward evolution over the years.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2012
The silhouette, the outline, and the shadow were, as the anthology’s editors indicate, crucial tools in this arsenal of suggestion—visual forms quite outside the usual repertoire of Pop art, which depended on an arch literalism for its effects.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for literalism 
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 May 2024
Together, the films also prove that literalism isn’t always required in stories that impart messy truths about humanity.
—Esther Zuckerman, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2024
The Biblical literalism question points to the answer: non-fundamentalist Christians have shifted toward evolution over the years.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2012
The silhouette, the outline, and the shadow were, as the anthology’s editors indicate, crucial tools in this arsenal of suggestion—visual forms quite outside the usual repertoire of Pop art, which depended on an arch literalism for its effects.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for literalism
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'literalism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Literalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literalism. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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