as in historical
restricted to or based on fact
a literal account of the explorer's adventures is actually a lot less interesting than his own exaggerated stories
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of literal
That sense of space, both literal and emotional, is central to the film's environmental and psychological subtext.
—
Scott Snowden, Space.com, 18 June 2025
Among the players connected to the disappearance are a wide and varied cast of Austin characters: an up-and-coming boxer who crossed the border from Mexico under strange circumstances, a rookie cop determined to crack the case, a grifter clown (figurative and literal).
—Lucas Schaefer
june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
Dever endorsed a more literal interpretation of Alston.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 June 2025
In my experience, the emotional truth tends to override the literal one.
—Gary Baum, People.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Scott Snowden, Space.com, 18 June 2025
Among the players connected to the disappearance are a wide and varied cast of Austin characters: an up-and-coming boxer who crossed the border from Mexico under strange circumstances, a rookie cop determined to crack the case, a grifter clown (figurative and literal).
—Lucas Schaefer
june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
Dever endorsed a more literal interpretation of Alston.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 June 2025
In my experience, the emotional truth tends to override the literal one.
—Gary Baum, People.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literal
Adjective
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Northern New York also tied historical records, with Plattsburgh hitting 101 degrees Fahrenheit the day prior.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
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Williams said that even though the Holocaust has been the subject of intense historical interest over the years, many parts of that history, particularly in Eastern Europe, remain unexplored or unknown.—
Tom Dreisbach,
NPR,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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This expansive series was edited by Paul E. Blackwood, a scientist and educator with the US Office of Education, who also wrote government bulletins and surveys on science education research As interest in children’s science books grew, many educators stressed the importance of factual accuracy.—
Jessica George,
JSTOR Daily,
25 June 2025
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Limited training data, large language model design and a lack of real-world experience can create responses that meet the best probable response instead of factual answers.—
Gaurav Basra,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Ever-so true to Telfar’s roots: community-driven, unpredictable, and built on radical accessibility.—
Karissa Mitchell,
Essence,
20 June 2025
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Beyond all of the twists and many, many, many turns that kept viewers tuned in every Tuesday night, the core of the show was about true female friendship and the loyalty that comes with that, no matter what.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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On June 26, Kino Lorber introduced the trailer to Shari & Lamb Chop, a documentary portrait of trailblazing children’s entertainer Shari Lewis and her beloved sock puppet Lamb Chop.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
26 June 2025
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See below for a complete list of the documentary Emmy winners.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2025
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Literally
A word that (literally) drives people nuts
Cite this Entry
“Literal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literal. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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