literally

as in accurately
in a literal, true, or accurate way She is not one for hyperbole—all of her warnings should be taken literally. The employees took the CEO's remarks literally and rightfully worried about the future health of the company.

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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 literally Confined to 24 hours, the crew literally worked around the clock, starting with building the red carpet set at midnight, and by midnight the next day, the entire Globes exterior would need to be shot and wrapped. Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 8 May 2025 As the impasse dragged on, frustrated townspeople took matters into their own hands, literally locking the indecisive cardinals inside the meeting hall and even removing the roof to speed the process. Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 In an instant, a muscular man appears in the frame and literally pushes the guy to the ground. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025 Even if there are occasionally exceptions that are literally made for Hollywood. Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for literally
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literally
Adverb
  • Japan’s Cabinet Office took to X earlier this month to explain that modern technology has yet to be able to accurately predict an earthquake.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
  • The new study was finally able to precisely assess the magnitude of that solar storm and date it more accurately.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 19 May 2025
Adverb
  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    Dustin Staggs, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
  • Proceeds from Purse Bingo directly benefit three charities that serve women and families in need: Alabaster Jar Project, Carol’s House of Community Resource Center, and Shades of Pink California.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Literally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literally. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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