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Definition of "literalism" []

  • Adherence to the explicit sense of a given text or doctrine. (noun)
  • Literal portrayal; realism. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "literalism" in a sentence
  • "This literalism is exemplified by another sign protesting Life of Brian (above right)."
  • "The best example of mandate literalism is the 1980 election."
  • "I did not mean to offend you, so I do apologize for expressing my opinion that literalism is "absurd.""