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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 Related Stories Taking its English-language title as a kind of literal riff on the Oscar-winning 1950 film All About Eve, the film has a similar story angle. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026 Israel and the United States have used intelligence, precision weapons, and long-range strikes to mass effects without having to mass literal forces. — Nadia Schadlow, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026 Meanwhile, teachers say they are left picking up the literal pieces. — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 Despite being the literal opposite of confrontational, you’re encouraged to push past the polite lack of response someone gives you today. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for literal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literal
  1. historical
  2. factual
  3. true
  4. documentary
  5. nonfictional
Adjective
  • As the name reflected, the museum contained duelling missions from the start, showcasing American technological advances and telling a more general historical story.
    — Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Artists from various musical genres are coming together to take part in a new music project inspired by the series The Chosen, a historical drama based on the life and ministry of Jesus.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of historical
Adjective
  • There are disputes over everything from factual accuracy to legal pitfalls to punctuation.
    — Mike Hogan, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
  • For example, frameworks like the SBI Model (Situation-Behavior-Impact) from the Center for Creative Leadership promote a clear, three-step methodology that reduces defensiveness by keeping feedback factual.
    — Maren Perry, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of factual
Adjective
  • In a world where true-crime shows of both the fictional and nonfictional variety run rampant on our screens, that’s probably not a bad corporate strategy.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In Cuba, for instance, the single format is dominant, and very few artists have dared to create a true concept album.
    — Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • Over five days, the festival seeks to offer audiences the opportunity to discover extraordinary films, meet filmmakers, and engage with the people shaping the documentary landscape today.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The fest’s feature film competition jury will be presided over by James Bond director Cary Joji Fukunaga, while filmmaker Sine Plambech will head up the documentary competition jury.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of documentary
Adjective
  • In a world where true-crime shows of both the fictional and nonfictional variety run rampant on our screens, that’s probably not a bad corporate strategy.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • This is what gives the film its experiential sincerity — the lived perspective of its Ukrainian crew leaving a nonfictional trace across every level of the fiction, something Stever handles with unusual reverence.
    — Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 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 1 Oct. 2026.

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