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
Mom has watched games here for literal generations — her father, brother and then youngest son on the field — but tonight is a unique experience.
—
Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
There is a lot of connected tissue with the first film, and some of it is literal.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 3 June 2025
Which is to say nothing of the literal value of developing homegrown careers — tens of millions of euros potentially.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
When compounded by phone tag, these gaps risk worsening conditions — making strategic communication a literal lifeline.
—John Samuels, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
There is a lot of connected tissue with the first film, and some of it is literal.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 3 June 2025
Which is to say nothing of the literal value of developing homegrown careers — tens of millions of euros potentially.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
When compounded by phone tag, these gaps risk worsening conditions — making strategic communication a literal lifeline.
—John Samuels, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literal
Adjective
-
United say the categories were selected by historical demand for tickets.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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Align product, pricing and go-to-market strategies with where your most profitable future growth lies, not just your historical wins.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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In turn, Bivins brought in another friend to execute the deadly plot, according to an FBI criminal complaint and the factual statement filed with his plea agreement.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2025
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Have three response templates ready: factual correction for misinformation, values reaffirmation for criticism, and security protocol for threats.—
Gillian Oakenfull,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Beyond all of the twists and many, many, many turns that kept viewers tuned in every Tuesday night, the core of the show was about true female friendship and the loyalty that comes with that, no matter what.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2025
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This milieu is both true to history and solves one of the series’ longstanding structural flaws.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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This, despite there being more documentary evidence than ever before in history: Information is abundant, yet consensus is elusive.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2025
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Throughout the prosecution’s case, the Commonwealth played numerous clips taken from interviews Read provided news outlets and documentary film crews, using her own words to highlight inconsistencies in her account and refute the defense’s arguments.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
11 June 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 24 Jun. 2025.
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