Synonyms for Literally: 30 Better Alternatives With Examples

The best synonym for literally depends on what you mean. When literally means “in the exact or original sense,” strong alternatives include exactly, precisely, word for word, verbatim, and to the letter. When it is used to emphasize that something is genuinely true, actually, truly, really, or in fact may work better. Because literally also has an informal use as an intensifier, no single synonym replaces it in every sentence.

Quick Answer: What Are the Best Synonyms for Literally?

The closest alternatives to literally include exactly, precisely, actually, truly, word for word, verbatim, to the letter, strictly, and accurately. However, these words are not interchangeable in every context. Exactly and precisely emphasize exactness, while verbatim and word for word are especially useful for quotations or translations. Actually and truly work better when literally means that something is genuinely or factually true.

30 Synonyms and Alternatives for Literally

Word or phrase	Relationship	Meaning / use	Best context
exactly	Direct / near synonym	In the exact sense or form stated	Precise statements, instructions
precisely	Direct / near synonym	With exact accuracy	Formal and precise writing
word for word	Contextual alternative	Using the exact words	Quotations, translations
verbatim	Contextual alternative	Using exactly the same words	Speech, quotations, records
to the letter	Contextual alternative	Exactly as instructed or required	Rules, instructions
strictly	Near synonym	According to an exact or narrow meaning	Definitions, rules
accurately	Near synonym	Correctly and without error	Facts, descriptions
faithfully	Contextual alternative	Closely preserving the original	Translation, reproduction
directly	Contextual alternative	Without figurative or indirect meaning	Statements, explanations
plainly	Contextual alternative	In a clear, straightforward sense	Explanations
correctly	Near synonym	In the right or proper sense	Interpretation, usage
rightly	Near synonym	In the correct sense	Interpretation, judgment
actually	Near synonym	In fact; genuinely	Factual emphasis
really	Near synonym	In reality; genuinely	Everyday speech
truly	Near synonym	Genuinely or sincerely	Emphasis, personal statements
indeed	Contextual alternative	In fact; certainly	Formal or emphatic writing
in fact	Contextual alternative	As a matter of fact	Factual clarification
genuinely	Contextual alternative	In a real or authentic way	Feelings, reactions
factually	Contextual alternative	According to facts	Academic or analytical writing
in reality	Contextual alternative	In actual circumstances	Contrast and clarification
in truth	Contextual alternative	According to the truth	Formal or literary writing
in actual fact	Contextual alternative	Emphatically, as a matter of fact	Formal emphasis
for real	Contextual alternative	Really; genuinely	Informal speech
seriously	Contextual alternative	Used to emphasize sincerity or truth	Informal conversation
completely	Contextual alternative	To the fullest degree	Intensification
totally	Contextual alternative	Completely or entirely	Informal emphasis
entirely	Contextual alternative	Completely	Formal and neutral writing
absolutely	Contextual alternative	Completely or emphatically	Strong emphasis
simply	Contextual alternative	Just; in a straightforward way	Explanation, informal speech
just	Contextual alternative	Simply or only	Everyday speech

Important: These 30 options are not all exact substitutes. Literally has several meanings and functions, so the correct replacement depends on the sentence. Dictionaries specifically distinguish its literal meaning from its emphatic and informal uses.

What Does Literally Mean?

Literally is an adverb. In its traditional sense, it means that something should be understood according to its real, original, or exact meaning, rather than as a metaphor or figure of speech.

For example:

The phrase was translated literally.

Here, literally means that the translation followed the actual words or direct meaning rather than interpreting the expression figuratively.

Oxford gives exactly as a synonym for this sense, while Cambridge describes literally as using the real or original meaning of a word or phrase.

Literally Can Also Emphasize a Statement

Modern English also uses literally to emphasize something that is true, surprising, or extreme:

There were literally hundreds of people waiting.

In this use, alternatives such as actually, really, or truly may fit better.

Cambridge recognizes this emphatic use, while Oxford also records an informal use in which literally intensifies a figurative expression even though the statement is not literally true.

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Closest Synonyms for Literally

1. Exactly

Exactly is one of the strongest alternatives when literally means “in precisely the stated sense.”

The instructions should be followed literally.
The instructions should be followed exactly.

Use exactly when precision is the main idea.

2. Precisely

Precisely emphasizes exactness and often sounds slightly more formal than exactly.

The word means literally “to wander.”
The word means precisely “to wander.”

It works especially well in academic, technical, and professional writing.

3. Strictly

Strictly works when something must be interpreted according to a precise rule, definition, or limitation.

Literally speaking, that isn’t what the contract says.
Strictly speaking, that isn’t what the contract says.

However, strictly can emphasize rules or limitations rather than literal meaning, so it is not a universal replacement.

4. Accurately

Accurately focuses on correctness rather than literal interpretation.

The report does not literally describe what happened.
The report does not accurately describe what happened.

These words overlap when the intended meaning is “correctly,” but they are not identical.

5. Correctly

Correctly is useful when the issue is whether something has been interpreted or understood properly.

You interpreted his words literally.
You interpreted his words correctly.

The second sentence changes the emphasis from literal interpretation to correctness.

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Alternatives for “Literally” in Quotations and Translation

Some alternatives are particularly useful when literally refers to preserving exact wording.

Word for Word

Word for word means that the same words are retained in the same order or reproduced individually.

The passage was translated literally.
The passage was translated word for word.

This phrase is especially natural when discussing translations.

VerbatimVerbatim means using exactly the same words as the original.

The witness repeated the statement literally.
The witness repeated the statement verbatim.

Because verbatim specifically emphasizes exact wording, it is generally the better choice when the original words must remain unchanged.

To the Letter

To the letter means exactly according to instructions, rules, or requirements.

She followed the instructions literally.
She followed the instructions to the letter.

The phrase is especially natural with follow, obey, and similar verbs.

Faithfully

Faithfully can describe something that accurately preserves the original meaning, form, or character.

The translator rendered the passage literally.
The translator rendered the passage faithfully.

Unlike verbatim, faithfully does not necessarily mean that every individual word was preserved.

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Alternatives for Literally When You Mean “Actually”

Sometimes literally is being used to emphasize that something is real or factual.

Actually

Actually is often the most natural replacement when the intended meaning is “in fact.”

I literally had no idea.
I actually had no idea.

Cambridge specifically identifies an emphatic use of literally that can correspond to “really.”

Really

Really is common in conversational English.

I literally don’t know what happened.
I really don’t know what happened.

However, really can express degree or emotion as well as truth, so the meaning is sometimes less precise.

Truly

Truly emphasizes genuine truth or sincerity.

She was literally grateful for his help.
She was truly grateful for his help.

It can sound more deliberate or expressive than really.

In Fact

In fact is useful when correcting, clarifying, or emphasizing information.

He wasn’t literally responsible for the entire project.
In fact, he only managed one department.

It does not replace literally in every grammatical position, but it can express the factual emphasis behind some uses.

Indeed

Indeed can emphasize that something is true or confirm a previous statement.

The result was literally remarkable.
The result was indeed remarkable.

It is generally more formal and does not preserve every meaning of literally.

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Which Word Should You Use Instead of Literally?

Choosing the right alternative depends on the intended meaning.

If you mean…	Best choice	Example
Exactly as stated	exactly	Take the instruction exactly as written.
With exact precision	precisely	That is precisely what she said.
Exact wording	verbatim	The quote was reproduced verbatim.
Every word separately	word for word	He translated it word for word.
Exactly according to instructions	to the letter	They followed the rules to the letter.
According to the facts	actually / in fact	He actually completed the task.
Genuinely	truly / genuinely	She was genuinely surprised.
Completely	entirely / completely	The plan was completely different.
Informal strong emphasis	really / totally	I really need some help.
Clear, straightforward meaning	plainly / directly	The statement plainly says otherwise.

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Literally vs Exactly

Literally and exactly overlap when both refer to an exact meaning.

The phrase should be interpreted literally.
The phrase should be interpreted exactly.

However, exactly is broader. It can refer to numerical accuracy, time, location, similarity, or agreement.

The train arrived at exactly 8:00.

You generally would not replace exactly with literally here.

Choose “literally” when you want to contrast a literal meaning with a figurative one.
Choose “exactly” when you simply mean precise or identical.

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Literally vs Actually

These words are sometimes interchangeable, but their core meanings differ.

Literally traditionally indicates a literal interpretation.

He took my words literally.

Actually means “in fact” or “in reality.”

He actually came to the meeting.

A sentence containing actually may emphasize reality, while one containing literally may emphasize how a statement should be interpreted.

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Literally vs Figuratively

These are generally opposites when discussing meaning.

Literally means that words are being understood in their actual or original sense.

Figuratively indicates that words are being used in a nonliteral, metaphorical, or symbolic sense.

Compare:

She literally ran ten miles.

This means she physically ran ten miles.

She figuratively ran circles around her competitors.

Here, “ran circles around” is not describing actual physical running.

Oxford and Cambridge both distinguish literal interpretation from figurative or emphatic usage.

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Common Mistakes With Literally

Using a weak synonym as if it were exact

Not every word listed by a thesaurus can replace literally.

For example, absolutely, totally, and completely can express strong emphasis, but they do not normally mean “in the literal sense.”

Assuming actually always means literally

These words can overlap, but actually means “in fact,” while literally can indicate that something should be understood according to its literal meaning.

Using verbatim for every use of literally

Verbatim refers specifically to exact wording.

She quoted the speaker verbatim.

It would not normally replace literally in:

The dog literally jumped over the fence.

Treating figuratively as a synonym

Figuratively is generally an antonym of literally, not a synonym.

Assuming modern emphatic usage is always a mistake

The informal emphatic use of literally is documented by major dictionaries. Oxford explicitly records its use to emphasize a word or phrase even when the expression is not literally true, while noting that some people object to this usage.

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Is Literally Overused?

Literally is frequently used as an intensifier in informal English. In some sentences, removing it makes the statement clearer and more concise.

For example:

I literally waited for three hours.

If the three-hour wait is simply a factual statement, the sentence may be stronger without an unnecessary intensifier:

I waited for three hours.

However, literally can be useful when the writer needs to distinguish an actual event from a figurative expression.

The building was literally on fire.

Here, the word helps make the physical meaning explicit.

Merriam-Webster’s current example material also shows literally appearing in both straightforward literal contexts and modern emphatic constructions.

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Common Collocations With Literally

The best alternative depends heavily on the phrase surrounding literally.

Literally + translated language

Use:

• word for word
• verbatim
• faithfully
• exactly

Example:

The sentence was translated word for word.

Literally + interpretation

Use:

• exactly
• strictly
• precisely
• in the literal sense

Example:

The statement should not be interpreted literally.

Literally + factual emphasis

Use:

• actually
• really
• truly
• in fact

Example:

I actually saw the event happen.

Literally + strong informal emphasis

Depending on the sentence, alternatives may include:

• really
• completely
• totally
• absolutely
• entirely

These are alternatives for the emphatic function, not exact synonyms of the traditional meaning.

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Antonyms of Literally

The clearest antonyms are:

• figuratively
• metaphorically
• loosely
• symbolically
• nonliterally

For example:

She was literally drowning.

means she was actually in water and unable to breathe normally.

She was figuratively drowning in paperwork.

means she was overwhelmed by a large amount of work.

Figuratively is therefore the most important opposite to understand.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the closest synonym for literally?

Exactly is one of the closest synonyms when literally means “in the exact or original sense.” Precisely is another strong choice. For exact wording, verbatim or word for word may be more appropriate.

What is another word for literally in formal writing?

Depending on the meaning, use precisely, exactly, accurately, strictly, actually, or in fact. For formal writing, choose the word that expresses the intended meaning rather than replacing literally automatically.

What is a synonym for literally meaning “exactly”?

The best options are exactly, precisely, strictly, and to the letter. Verbatim and word for word are better when you specifically mean that the original wording has been reproduced.

Is actually a synonym for literally?

Sometimes, but not always. Actually means “in fact” or “in reality,” while literally traditionally means “in the literal or exact sense.” They overlap when literally is used for factual emphasis, but they are not interchangeable in every sentence.

Is really a synonym for literally?

Really can replace literally when the word is being used to emphasize that something is genuinely or actually true. It does not replace the literal-meaning sense in every context.

What is the opposite of literally?

The clearest opposite is figuratively. Metaphorically can also work when something is expressed through a metaphor rather than in its literal sense.

Can literally mean figuratively?

Yes. In informal modern English, literally is sometimes used as an intensifier before an expression that is not literally true, such as “I literally died laughing.” Oxford records this use, although it also notes that some people consider it incorrect.

Should I avoid using literally?

No. Literally is a standard English adverb with several established uses. The important point is to use it when its meaning is clear and to choose a more precise alternative when another word communicates your intended meaning better.

Conclusion

The best synonym for literally depends on the sense you need. Use exactly or precisely for exact meaning, verbatim or word for word for exact wording, and to the letter for strict adherence to instructions. When literally simply emphasizes that something is true, actually, really, truly, or in fact may be more natural.

The key is not to replace literally with the first thesaurus entry you find. Choose the alternative that matches the intended meaning, context, tone, and level of precision.