as in realism
realistic depiction in art and literature
if audiences ever got the literalism they claim they want in movies, they'd be fast asleep by the second reel
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Recent Examples of literalism
This isn’t the kind of puzzle thriller in which all the elements click into place with a thudding literalism that compliments an attentive eye.
—
Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Its musings on the spiritual — or even on the innocent, the naïve, the youthful — begin and end in the realm of documentarian literalism.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
For decades the insistence on the truth value of rap lyrics was of paramount importance; now, that has run headlong into the literalism of law enforcement interpretation.
—Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
The spectacle here is one based on literalism: nothing need be imagined ever again.
—Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literalism
Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Its musings on the spiritual — or even on the innocent, the naïve, the youthful — begin and end in the realm of documentarian literalism.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
For decades the insistence on the truth value of rap lyrics was of paramount importance; now, that has run headlong into the literalism of law enforcement interpretation.
—Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
The spectacle here is one based on literalism: nothing need be imagined ever again.
—Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literalism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literalism
Noun
-
Setting the presence of so many exceptionally beautiful people aside, Contagion succeeded in its goal of realism, earning praise from disease experts as well as critics and audiences.—
EW Staff Published,
EW.com,
3 July 2025
-
Soth, who is based in Minneapolis, is best known for his large-format photography that blends documentary realism with lyrical storytelling.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
The mockumentary is packed with amazing deadpan performances by young actors whose comic timing and naturalism make for consistently hilarious television.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
26 June 2025
-
This half-hearted interest in naturalism hurts more than helps.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
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Literally
A word that (literally) drives people nuts
Cite this Entry
“Literalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literalism. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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