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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 literal
The literal only difference between any of them is that season 1 had eight episodes instead of ten.
—
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Especially for beginners like me, who dove in totally unprepared with zero miles under our belts, the literal finish line represents so much more than just crossing it.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 12 May 2025
Within about a day, ravenous flesh-eating larvae erupt, which both look and act like literal screws.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
A literal sea change disrupted the balance of aquatic predators during the middle Cretaceous.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Especially for beginners like me, who dove in totally unprepared with zero miles under our belts, the literal finish line represents so much more than just crossing it.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 12 May 2025
Within about a day, ravenous flesh-eating larvae erupt, which both look and act like literal screws.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
A literal sea change disrupted the balance of aquatic predators during the middle Cretaceous.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for literal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literal
Adjective
-
The Presidents Cup, the PGA Championship, this is a major historical legacy for sports here in this city.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
13 May 2025
-
That historical tension—between the promise of scientific freedom and the peril of political control—may now be resurfacing in troubling ways.—
Alondra Nelson,
Time,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
This is a preview of The 1600—Tap here to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. fairness meter Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
-
Imagine getting together online with a community where the AI can determine if what is said is factual, and rather than being a spectator like on an ‘X spaces’ (formerly Twitter), the interaction is warm, like being with friends at a dinner party.—
Larry Dvoskin,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
The coloration of light in this image does not depict a true optical rainbow as would be seen by the naked eye, but rather a colored representation of different wavelengths of light that highlight the instrument's capability to analyze various components of the solar atmosphere.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
15 May 2025
-
Dylan’s life is full of true — meaning real — contradictions.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
The top limited per screen average so far is 2025 is for the documentary Secret Mall Apartment, a surprise standout by Jeremy Workman and self-released by Wheelhouse Creative, that opened in late March to $40.5k at one exclusive engagement in Providence, RI and is still in theaters.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
-
The documentary streaming boom is officially over, according to Academy Award-winning producer and Impact Partners co-founder Geralyn Dreyfous.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
5 May 2025
Video
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 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share