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
Forgoing the week’s more literal showings of design and homeware, Farresin and Trimarchi’s curatorial approach at Prada Frames has evolved over the past four years: On Forest was their first edition in 2022, an inquiry into the ecological, cultural, and philosophical significance of forests.
—
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2025
The story is rooted in chilling and realistic descriptions of slavery on a Georgia plantation, but here the famed path to freedom is a literal underground railroad.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
That inspiration became literal a couple of years back.
—Marie Bostwick, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
The inclusion of Greenland in this narrative may not be literal—but its symbolic presence lingers.
—Stephan Rabimov, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2025
The story is rooted in chilling and realistic descriptions of slavery on a Georgia plantation, but here the famed path to freedom is a literal underground railroad.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
That inspiration became literal a couple of years back.
—Marie Bostwick, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
The inclusion of Greenland in this narrative may not be literal—but its symbolic presence lingers.
—Stephan Rabimov, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literal
Adjective
-
The last time Border Patrol averaged fewer than 9,000 monthly apprehensions along the southern border over a year was in the late 1960s, according to historical agency figures.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
1 May 2025
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This fits perfectly with the historical accounts stating that one of the ships burnt.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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This article has been updated with additional information and remarks. fairness meter fairness meter Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
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They are shared on social media or fed to reporters with intentional factual omissions and no regard for the truth.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And of course, no one would be a true derby guest without an intricate and matching asymmetric disc headband fascinator.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
3 May 2025
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Strong lines that team up to form geometric designs, metallic accents, luxe materials like marble and velvet, and eye-catching ornamentation are certainly part of the style's foundation, true.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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The various plaintiffs challenging Trump's executive order argue requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote would create barriers for millions of eligible voters.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2025
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But Matheson pointed out that there was a lack of documentary evidence that that was the rationale for the purchase.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 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 8 May. 2025.
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