as in realism
realistic depiction in art and literature
if audiences ever got the literalism they claim they want in movies, they'd be fast asleep by the second reel
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Recent Examples of literalism
In fact, the allegory travels more easily once it is freed from literalism.
—
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
But if Judd’s literalism and Caro’s illusionism represent the extreme and irreconcilable ends of the artistic spectrum during the ’60s and ’70s, Bove’s work integrates and combines these apparent artistic antipodes with a contemporary twist.
—Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
The larger point here is that the new justice and the governor are strong advocates of literalism and originalism — legal doctrines holding that constitutions and laws should be read precisely as the authors wrote and understood them.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
Eschewing dull literalism, the bold illustrations lend imaginative flair to the warm, lived-in look of Pye’s production design.
—David Benedict, Variety, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literalism
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
But if Judd’s literalism and Caro’s illusionism represent the extreme and irreconcilable ends of the artistic spectrum during the ’60s and ’70s, Bove’s work integrates and combines these apparent artistic antipodes with a contemporary twist.
—Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
The larger point here is that the new justice and the governor are strong advocates of literalism and originalism — legal doctrines holding that constitutions and laws should be read precisely as the authors wrote and understood them.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
Eschewing dull literalism, the bold illustrations lend imaginative flair to the warm, lived-in look of Pye’s production design.
—David Benedict, Variety, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literalism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literalism
Noun
-
But Todd wears his realism well, finding a nice mix between earnestly romantic and achingly self-aware.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
4 June 2026
-
Public policy should be grounded in that realism.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Nilsson’s depiction of bodies past their prime conjures not the pitiless naturalism of Joan Semmel or Alice Neel, but something friskier, more delighted.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
At its center is Johanna herself, crafting a version of her own life with loving naturalism.—
JD Linville,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Video
Literally
A word that (literally) drives people nuts
Cite this Entry
“Literalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literalism. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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