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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 literalism
For decades the insistence on the truth value of rap lyrics was of paramount importance; now, that has run headlong into the literalism of law enforcement interpretation.
—
Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
This isn’t the kind of puzzle thriller in which all the elements click into place with a thudding literalism that compliments an attentive eye.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Its musings on the spiritual — or even on the innocent, the naïve, the youthful — begin and end in the realm of documentarian literalism.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
For decades the insistence on the truth value of rap lyrics was of paramount importance; now, that has run headlong into the literalism of law enforcement interpretation.
—Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for literalism
Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
This isn’t the kind of puzzle thriller in which all the elements click into place with a thudding literalism that compliments an attentive eye.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Its musings on the spiritual — or even on the innocent, the naïve, the youthful — begin and end in the realm of documentarian literalism.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
For decades the insistence on the truth value of rap lyrics was of paramount importance; now, that has run headlong into the literalism of law enforcement interpretation.
—Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for literalism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literalism
Noun
-
Also, a romance arc was added to the legal realism, which led to the filming in Hong Kong, recapturing scenes of a previous meeting between Lee and Mun’s characters.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Blending comedy, magical realism and emotional depth, the story explores intergenerational trauma, identity and belonging.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
King of the Hill was no marvel of complicated animation — its designs were built to have a kind of everyman naturalism, and the characters move with little grace.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
7 July 2025
-
That naturalism, in turn, helps viewers and listeners feel more comfortable—although the videos sometimes perch right at the edge of the uncanny valley.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
26 June 2025
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 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share