Synonyms of literally

literally

adverb

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.

Related Words

• accurately
• directly
• positively
• actually
• precisely
• genuinely
• really
• verbatim
• truly
• simply
• veritably
• just
• word for word
• right
• authentically
• exactly
• squarely
• certifiably
• sharp
• identically
• ad verbum
• smack-dab

Dissimilar Words

• freely
• loosely
• carelessly
• inaccurately
• metaphorically
• imprecisely
• inexactly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of literally

But insanity is a condition of the American Dream, which immigrants’ children are known to take literally, and to the bank. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026

This, however, is no coincidence, considering the fact that America is, quite literally, a summer baby. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026

That if you were deemed, as an enslaved person, if you were deemed troublesome or in some way unwanted, you would literally be sold down the river from the more northern states to the deeper south where you would potentially be treated even worse. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Sonically, Madonna literally returns to the dance floor, a move that’s getting her early critical praise already as reviews hit Friday, calling this her best album in decades. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026

Video

Literally

A word that (literally) drives people nuts