literalism
Americannoun
-
adherence to the exact letter or the literal sense, as in translation or interpretation.
to interpret the law with uncompromising literalism.
-
a peculiarity of expression resulting from this.
The work is studded with these obtuse literalisms.
-
exact representation or portrayal, without idealization, as in art or literature.
a literalism more appropriate to journalism than to the novel.
noun
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the disposition to take words and statements in their literal sense
-
literal or realistic portrayal in art or literature
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of literalism
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.
Schrader films “She Said” with a bracing combination of straightforwardness and sensitivity, staging the most prurient details of Weinstein’s cases with somber restraint rather than salacious literalism.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 16, 2022
But as there is a push for greater casting freedoms in some areas, there is an argument for more literalism in others, especially from actors with certain backgrounds who lack opportunities.
From New York Times ● Jul. 28, 2022
Maimonides claimed that biblical literalism was the main reason people could not get closer to God.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 15, 2022
It's been quoted to argue against Biblical literalism and science denial.
From Salon ● Jan. 28, 2022
But you wouldn't know all this if you went by the sound of his name—which I did, an immigrant's failing, literalism.
From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
