What is another word for literalism?

Pronunciation: [lˈɪtəɹəlˌɪzəm] (IPA)

Literalism, also known as strict literal interpretation, refers to the practice of interpreting texts, words, or phrases in their literal or simple sense, without considering their symbolic or metaphorical meaning. Some synonyms for literalism include textualism, directness, exactitude, preciseness, adherence to the letter, and fundamentalism. Textualism refers to a narrow interpretation of a written document, while directness signifies a straightforward approach to interpreting statements. On the other hand, precision implies accuracy and being exact while adherence to the letter suggests a complete and rigid copy of a text. Fundamentalism refers to strict adherence to religious or political beliefs, often with an unwavering approach to interpretation.

What are the hypernyms for Literalism?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.

What are the hyponyms for Literalism?

Hyponyms are more specific words categorized under a broader term, known as a hypernym.

Usage examples for Literalism

Again, the New York Press authority follows Freeman in wishing to eject the word "ovation" from the language; surely a ridiculous literalism.
"America To-day, Observations and Reflections"
William Archer
If this last was his idea, he had not gauged the obtuseness and self-righteous spite of honest and pious literalism.
"The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I"
Marcus Dods
Its literalism, its resulting lack of poetry, "proceeded from the wrong judgment of the age in which he lived.
"Early Theories of Translation"
Flora Ross Amos

Famous quotes with Literalism

  • Entrenched scriptural literalism is, in my opinion, completely out of touch with reality.
    Malcolm Boyd
  • Contrary to the cartoon history of ideas that prevails today, Darwinism’s threat to religion did not come principally from challenging the biblical account of creation. Until a few centuries ago the Genesis story was known to be a myth – a poetic way of rendering truths that would otherwise be inaccessible. At the beginning of the Christian religion, Augustine warned against the dangers of literalism. The Jewish scholars who preceded him always viewed the Genesis story as a metaphor for truths that could not be accessed in any other way. It was only with the rise of modern science that the Genesis myth came to be misunderstood as an explanatory theory. Yet Darwinism was still a major threat to religion, for it confronted Victorians with the prospect of their final mortality. Darwin forced them to ask why their lives should not end like those of other animals, in nothingness. If this was so, how could human existence have meaning? How could human values be maintained if human personality was destroyed at death?
    John Gray (philosopher)
  • By such literalism, fundamentalism, religions betrayed the best intentions of their founders. Reducing thought to formula, replacing choice by obedience, these preachers turned the living word into dead law.
    Ursula K. Le Guin

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