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Definitions

literally

[lit-er-uh-lee] / ˈlɪt ər ə li /
ADVERB
word for word; exactly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
actually completely directly plainly precisely really simply truly
WEAK
correctly direct faithfully indisputably letter by letter literatim not figuratively rightly rigorously sic straight strictly to the letter undeviatingly undisputably unerringly unmistakably verbatim veritably
Antonyms
STRONGEST
doubtfully
WEAK
figuratively loosely

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Witnessing is an act of the body,” he explained, especially in a city that for much of this past winter was literally occupied.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Fey revealed the lounge has fallen apart after literally being run into the ground by too many Five-Timers Club sketches.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

“I literally feel like I got a thousand pounds off my back.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

FDEs were quite literally on the front lines.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

Men were literally falling down from lack of oxygen.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin