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
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
Gilmour’s set, that pile of versatile luggage, has the right idea of allowing us in the audience to imagine the magical city the show’s characters keep describing without ruining it with the literalism of giant 30 Rockefeller Plaza set pieces or, worse, a huge screen.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2025
This literalism extends across the entire picture.
—Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
By the 1920s, the rise of religious fundamentalism and Biblical literalism among evangelical Protestant groups was reshaping America's religious landscape — setting it on a collision course with modern scientific thought.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for literalism
David Benedict, Variety, 30 Nov. 2025
Gilmour’s set, that pile of versatile luggage, has the right idea of allowing us in the audience to imagine the magical city the show’s characters keep describing without ruining it with the literalism of giant 30 Rockefeller Plaza set pieces or, worse, a huge screen.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2025
This literalism extends across the entire picture.
—Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
By the 1920s, the rise of religious fundamentalism and Biblical literalism among evangelical Protestant groups was reshaping America's religious landscape — setting it on a collision course with modern scientific thought.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for literalism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literalism
Noun
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Lots of people don’t realize how much stylistic variety Wilson baked into his ten major plays, some of which are written in the mode of realism, others more akin to Greek tragedy.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
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Lots of people don’t realize how much stylistic variety Wilson baked into his 10 major plays, some of which are written in the mode of realism, others more akin to Greek tragedy.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In this delightful piece of armchair naturalism, Henion’s goal is to change our vilification of darkness, to see it instead as a restorative balm, and to stoke curiosity about nocturnal landscapes and creatures.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Spontaneity and naturalism characterize much of the album, even on songs by artists not necessarily known for those qualities.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
Pitchfork,
18 Mar. 2026
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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 29 Apr. 2026.
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