as in accurately
in a literal, true, or accurate way
She is not one for hyperbole—all of her warnings should be taken literally. The employees took the CEO's remarks literally and rightfully worried about the future health of the company.
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Recent Examples of literally
AVs will — literally — drive exemplary behavior on Maryland roads.
—
John Seng, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
Our crew heading to the desert has literally decades of experience covering the festival, giving us unique insight into one of the world’s most famous music festivals.
—Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
For now, the team is keeping both options on the table — literally.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
The drumline loops and VST strings would be over-the-top if the performance weren’t so impassioned, the stakes not literally life-and-death.
—Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for literally
John Seng, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
Our crew heading to the desert has literally decades of experience covering the festival, giving us unique insight into one of the world’s most famous music festivals.
—Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
For now, the team is keeping both options on the table — literally.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
The drumline loops and VST strings would be over-the-top if the performance weren’t so impassioned, the stakes not literally life-and-death.
—Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for literally
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literally
Adverb
-
There are over 50 types of mosquitoes in Minnesota, but Carlson said scientists can predict the population of cattail mosquitoes more accurately.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Jesse is upset that Michelle won’t talk to Lacy about what their relationship should be like, and Michelle says, quite accurately, that is not her job.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Wayfinding signage will direct you to the pedestrian bridge over the canal, which leads directly to Miami Freedom Park and Nu Stadium.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
Video
Literally
A word that (literally) drives people nuts
Cite this Entry
“Literally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literally. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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