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
Which is true, in a strictly literal sense.
—
Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Over time, its strictly literal use expanded into the figurative, referring to the enhancement of something by adding or increasing a particular quality or ingredient.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
Mainstream Egyptologists interpret the stele’s imagery symbolically, not as a literal map, and note the stele’s text does not explicitly mention a second Sphinx.
—Ryan Brennan
april 1, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Online, however, many fans focused less on symbolism and more on the literal nature of the concept.
—Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for literal
Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Over time, its strictly literal use expanded into the figurative, referring to the enhancement of something by adding or increasing a particular quality or ingredient.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
Mainstream Egyptologists interpret the stele’s imagery symbolically, not as a literal map, and note the stele’s text does not explicitly mention a second Sphinx.
—Ryan Brennan
april 1, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Online, however, many fans focused less on symbolism and more on the literal nature of the concept.
—Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for literal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literal
Adjective
-
As Trump fumbles with the Pandora’s Box he’s broken open, there’s no shortage of historical analogies to choose from.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Oftentimes, exhibits—which range in focus from a specific artist to a historical period to a thematic thread—can displace the permanent collection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Jeff Pope’s latest BBC factual drama is about the tragic death of Sarah Everard, who was killed by a serving policeman in London in 2021.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The factual basis for broader perceptions of gay prosperity is mixed.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There was no true striker for England.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Full Moon highlights your 4th House of Traditions, nudging you to think about what makes your residence a true home base.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
McGraw Media agreed to remove all content from the documentary-style series that the department designates as inaccurate or confidential, that the NYPD is legally prohibited from releasing, that reveals investigatory techniques or that would otherwise compromise public safety or the public trust.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Even as documentary producers warn of tightening financing and shrinking commissioning budgets, the pipeline of new films shows little sign of slowing.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That delirious excess befits the essence of Lapid’s method, which is a fusion of fiction with indigestibly and irreducibly nonfictional elements.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The days at the fictional Oak Canyon Ranch Retreat in the nonfictional Agoura Hills are loaded with incident — the retreat itself is essentially sleepaway camp, including pool time, games, a cookout, a talent show — and disasters.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Video
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 4 Apr. 2026.
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