literalism

noun

lit·​er·​al·​ism ˈli-t(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: adherence to the explicit substance of an idea or expression

biblical literalism

2

: fidelity to observable fact : realism

literalist

ˈli-t(ə-)rə-list 

noun

literalistic

ˌli-t(ə-)rə-ˈli-stik 

adjective

Synonyms

• naturalism
• realism
• representationalism
• verisimilitude
• verismo

Example Sentences

if audiences ever got the literalism they claim they want in movies, they'd be fast asleep by the second reel

Recent Examples on the Web

Dystopian literalism bleeds into all the proceedings here, moving like a wheel within a wheel. —Rob Weinert-kendt, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2022

Artistic license met biblical literalism, an awkward compromise was reached, but prominent Christian activists will still probably leave disappointed and the controversy will go on. —Kyle Hill, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2014

But as there is a push for greater casting freedoms in some areas, there is an argument for more literalism in others, especially from actors with certain backgrounds who lack opportunities. —New York Times, 28 July 2022

Meanwhile, Wilde’s direction manages to be simultaneously overheated and pedestrian, resorting to blunt-force literalism in moments that call for Hitchcockian finesse. —Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2022

Whose happiness is prioritized in a family? — capture both kid-brain literalism and the bigger, harder questions of growing up. —Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 28 July 2022

Given the dangers of biblical literalism, Christians should stop taking every word of Holy Writ literally. —The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 July 2022

Even in productions that aspire to greater subtlety, a grinding literalism threatens—a dutiful hitting of marks. —Molly Fischer, The New Yorker, 13 June 2022

In the late 19th century, Christian abolitionists countered the literalism of white supremacists by appealing to the Bible as a whole. —The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 July 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Video

Literally

A word that (literally) drives people nuts