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
That’s literal travel, like an artist going to Europe, but also time travel, sort of an Afrofuturist idea of the cosmic traveler.
—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
29 June 2026
The scene is a Pyrrhic victory, however, because its self-transcending metaphorical power only emphasizes the blandly literal hour and a half that came before.
—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 June 2026
The season emphasizes emotional constriction and physical limits, not literal clock time.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk,
Vulture,
26 June 2026
The centerpiece of the property is the Mammoth Mine, a dormant gold operation that hauled up close to a literal ton of bullion in its day — 31,500 ounces, according to National Land Realty, which is listing the site.
—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for literal
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
29 June 2026
The scene is a Pyrrhic victory, however, because its self-transcending metaphorical power only emphasizes the blandly literal hour and a half that came before.
—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 June 2026
The season emphasizes emotional constriction and physical limits, not literal clock time.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk,
Vulture,
26 June 2026
The centerpiece of the property is the Mammoth Mine, a dormant gold operation that hauled up close to a literal ton of bullion in its day — 31,500 ounces, according to National Land Realty, which is listing the site.
—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for literal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literal
Adjective
-
The calendar includes America's Block Party events, festivals, historical programs, exhibits and community gatherings scheduled across the country.
-
This was a historical diagnosis for deaths attributed to old age in the early 1900s.
Adjective
-
Award-winning factual producer Proper Content is set to shutter amid tough market conditions.
-
Sotomayor, writing for the liberal justices, accused the majority of cutting the litigation short and argued that unresolved factual questions should have been returned to the lower courts.
Adjective
-
This underscores how Apple's control over its devices, from hardware to software, limits true ownership and poses challenges for long-term digital preservation.
-
If religion is corrupted by breaking down the wall of separation, much the same is true of the state.
Adjective
-
That judge later barred the Secretary of Defense from requiring documentary proof of citizenship when military personnel register to vote or request ballots.
-
Paul Dugdale directed, with documentary segments from Farah X, and Live Nation Studios produced.
Adjective
-
Pee-Wee as Himself, the 2025 Emmy award winner for best documentary or nonfictional special, is also among the nominees.
-
That delirious excess befits the essence of Lapid’s method, which is a fusion of fiction with indigestibly and irreducibly nonfictional elements.
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 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
