"Not metaphorically" refers to something that is not symbolic or figurative, but rather is stated directly and factually. Synonyms for this phrase can include "literally," "actually," "truly," or "genuinely." These words can be used interchangeably to convey the same meaning as "not metaphorically." An example sentence using one of these synonyms could be: "I am literally exhausted from working long hours." This would mean that the speaker is truly and actually tired, without any exaggeration or metaphorical language being used. Using synonyms can help to add variety and precision to language by avoiding repetitive phrasing and unnecessary use of figurative language.