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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Recent Examples of literal
People forced to flee their cars on Sunset Boulevard; sparks whipped by 80-mph winds igniting entire streets; firefighters hastening evacuations and confronting literal walls of flame; the smoking shells of homes and businesses.
—
Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
These online platforms provide a literal oasis for those in therapy deserts.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Strawberry Fields Most Popular Fashion A Short History of the Front Row
Magazine
Inside Vogue’s December Issue
Celebrities
Jennie Reveals How Cold-Plunging Loosens Up Her Muscles and Opens Up Her Mind
A literal manifestation of strawberry girl makeup, these nails are super fun.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
And in the very center of the panel, in flat, dark country, in literal no man’s land, is a small, broken vertical line consisting of flecks of white paint.
—Teju Cole, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for literal 
Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
These online platforms provide a literal oasis for those in therapy deserts.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Strawberry Fields Most Popular Fashion A Short History of the Front Row
Magazine
Inside Vogue’s December Issue
Celebrities
Jennie Reveals How Cold-Plunging Loosens Up Her Muscles and Opens Up Her Mind
A literal manifestation of strawberry girl makeup, these nails are super fun.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
And in the very center of the panel, in flat, dark country, in literal no man’s land, is a small, broken vertical line consisting of flecks of white paint.
—Teju Cole, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for literal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literal
Adjective
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Uncovering cultural resilience To better understand South Korea’s unique leisure culture, Kim looked to its historical backdrop — particularly the cultural stagnation that followed the decades of Japanese colonial rule and the Korean War.Hanna Park, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025
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Its historical roots go deep, and remnants of its rich history is found scattered across the island.Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This article includes reporting from The Associated Press. fairness meter fairness meter Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.Natalie Venegas, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
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The emotional impact of VR experiences could potentially overshadow factual evidence, and different viewing angles might lead to inconsistent interpretations among jurors.Lars Daniel, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But the flip side is also true: Nothing would be more harmful than letting the Small Business Deduction disappear at the end of the year.John E. Kelly Jr., Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2025
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By staying true to her own experiences, her music naturally encourages others to embrace courage, authenticity, and a childlike sense of wonder—an organic process that defines the heart of her artistic contribution.Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The show is set in the oil fields of western Texas and is based on the documentary podcast Boomtown, which told the story of the West Texan oil boom.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
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Read Her Farewell Email This year’s nominees for the Cinema Eye Honors, which honors the best in documentary fiction and TV, included a healthy crop of some of our best new non-fiction offerings.Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Jan. 2025
Video
Literally
A word that (literally) drives people nuts
Thesaurus Entries Near literal
Cite this Entry
“Literal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literal. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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