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
There’s a very important build that’s happening in that scene, both musically and also in Hannah’s literal body.
—
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 13 May 2026
This improvement is cognitive and behavioral, but not a literal dopamine reset.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
The Sparks rookies are here early, Ta’Niya Latson first, followed by Jihyun Park and then Chance Gray, all arriving while the last section of sparkly black carpet is still being laid down on the literal tunnel, which is finally emblazoned with the team logo.
—Jade Chang, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
That served as the point of reference, though not in a literal, one-to-one sense.
—Christine Mortag, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for literal
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 13 May 2026
This improvement is cognitive and behavioral, but not a literal dopamine reset.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
The Sparks rookies are here early, Ta’Niya Latson first, followed by Jihyun Park and then Chance Gray, all arriving while the last section of sparkly black carpet is still being laid down on the literal tunnel, which is finally emblazoned with the team logo.
—Jade Chang, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
That served as the point of reference, though not in a literal, one-to-one sense.
—Christine Mortag, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for literal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literal
Adjective
-
His work, including the 2018 novel Mannelig in Chains (again available in English), is particularly relevant for its focus on historical memory, which speaks to the heart of Russian propaganda around the war in Ukraine.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
The paragraphs in question are summarizing the historical background or context of the stories, with some instances containing the same 30 words in a row, or near identical passages with a word or phrase slightly tweaked.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Content that does not fail is content that answers a factual question in a unique manner to how all other websites answer it.—
TerDawn DeBoe,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Such is the nature of the law at work that this or some other factual variation may be the subject of a future ruling – and a future column.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Rarely were there any true freaks, which was where their sideshow stood out.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Occupying four townhouses, its two-year refurbishment by award-winning architects Holland Harvey and interior designers Studio Est and Studio Mica has created something warm and true to its heritage yet modern, nature-focused and committed to social impact.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
The documentary expansion runs alongside a broader portfolio.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
Structurally, the first two seasons of this show keep everything within a documentary format, up to the point at the end of the second season where Valerie leaves the Emmys and the cameras behind to be with Mickey in a much harder reality.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Pee-Wee as Himself, the 2025 Emmy award winner for best documentary or nonfictional special, is also among the nominees.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
-
That delirious excess befits the essence of Lapid’s method, which is a fusion of fiction with indigestibly and irreducibly nonfictional elements.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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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 23 May. 2026.
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