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
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Recent Examples of literal
Though Jenner has been faithful to her signature dark pixie cut for literal decades now, she's been in a more experimental phase as of late, and there's nothing more impactful than unexpectedly going platinum blonde.
—
Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025
Karen, the literal rocket scientist in the Wilson family, is obviously Hen’s first choice, but her wife simply can’t reconcile her own serious science career with Tripp’s deeply unserious approach.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 9 Oct. 2025
Norvell, as the co-offensive coordinator on that Pitt staff, saw the literal and metaphorical drive with Lanning.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
There’s literal heritage, too, in the form of antique chairs dating back to the reign of Britain’s George III (and now upholstered in deep purple velvet).
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025
Karen, the literal rocket scientist in the Wilson family, is obviously Hen’s first choice, but her wife simply can’t reconcile her own serious science career with Tripp’s deeply unserious approach.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 9 Oct. 2025
Norvell, as the co-offensive coordinator on that Pitt staff, saw the literal and metaphorical drive with Lanning.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
There’s literal heritage, too, in the form of antique chairs dating back to the reign of Britain’s George III (and now upholstered in deep purple velvet).
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literal
Adjective
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In the business classic Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, Charles Mackay examined the psychology of crowd behavior and mass hysteria throughout history, from the Dutch Tulip Mania of the 1630s to humanity’s historical obsession with transmuting base metals into gold.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
7 Oct. 2025
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Designed by German designer and architect Paul Renner, the century-old Zehlendorf estate blends historical design with modern comforts and a rare stretch of private shoreline on the Waldsee.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Evaluating defamation claims where the report contains demonstrably false factual assertions.—
Tim Reynolds,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
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MagellanTV has a streaming content offering that ranges across the history, nature, science, space and true crime genres, and a library of premium factual documentaries offered to consumers turning to streaming TV options.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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It's slated to offer a commendable-if-true 330 miles (520 km) range, from a 350-kW fast-charging 122-kWh battery.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Oct. 2025
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The same will be true this season, but with Turner being more mobile and versatile than Lopez, the Bucks will likely play types of defense that Portis may be more comfortable executing.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The festival unfolds at a particularly tenuous time for the documentary field, which for the past several years has faced a feeble acquisition market.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
9 Oct. 2025
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The documentary lineup features new films from Werner Herzog, Laura Poitras, and Raoul Peck, while the Stockholm Series program will showcase new television projects, including Isabella Eklöf’s The Death of Bunny Munroe and Justin Kurzel’s The Narrow Road to the Deep North.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Recently, this sacrament has garnered nonfictional attention.—
Timothy Gabrielli,
The Conversation,
25 Aug. 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 15 Oct. 2025.
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