Literalistic refers to someone who sticks to the exact meaning and interpretation of words, without taking any figurative or metaphorical meaning into account. However, there are several synonyms that one can use in place of literalistic when describing a person's approach to language. Some of these include rigid, dogmatic, narrow-minded, pedantic, inflexible, and unyielding. These words are useful because they all convey a sense of strict adherence to rules, without room for interpretation or deviation. They also have a negative connotation, suggesting that the person being described is overly focused on details and lacks creative or imaginative thinking skills.