Synonyms of literally
52 similar words · 4 opposite words
Another word for literally is honestly. Other synonyms of literally are simply, frankly, legitimately, undoubtedly and really. The opposite of literally is figuratively.
Synonyms and similar words for literally
adverbWithout overstatement or understatement, or false or misleading words.
- ad verbumOn a word-by-word basis, without rephrasing; word for word; verbatim.
adverbWith phrasings that might normally be used or understood as figurative: truly; not figuratively...
- actually
- really
- unfigurativelyIn a way that is not figurative; literally.
- unmetaphoricallyIn a way that is not metaphorical.
- above a bitGreatly, very much.
- all things consideredDespite possible indications to the contrary.
- as a matter of factActually, in fact.
- certainly
- come to think of itBy the way; now that I think about it; indicates something brought to mind.
- de factoIn actual use or existence, regardless of official or legal status.
- definitely
- de jureBy right; in accordance with or as deemed by the statute of the law, particularly as opposed to actual practice.
- fact isActually, in truth.
- franklyIn truth, to tell the truth.
- honestlyFrankly, to be honest.
- in actualityIn fact; in truth.
- in all honestyHonestly; in truth.
- indubitablyIn a manner that leaves no possibility of doubt.
- in fact
- in point of factActually.
- in realityIn real life, as opposed to online, play, make believe, or theory.
- in truthTruthfully, to tell the truth, in fact.
- indeed
- legitimatelyIn a legitimate manner, properly, fair and square.
- not gonna lie
- properly
- right
- simplyMerely; solely.
- surely
- to be frankSynonym of frankly.
- to be honest
- TBH
- to tell the truthAn attestation to the truthfulness and frankness of an associated statement.
- truly
- truthfully
- undoubtedlyWithout doubt; definitely.
- very muchWithout doubt; indeed.
- wis dialectal
- by right obsolete
- forsooth archaic, poeticUsed as an intensifier, often ironic: indeed, really, truthfully.
- in faith archaicReally, truly.
- soothfast obsoleteActually; truthfully.
- soothly archaicTruly, verily.
- verily archaic
Opposite of literally
adverbWith phrasings that might normally be used or understood as figurative: truly; not figuratively...
- figurativelyIn a figurative manner.
- idiomatically
- metaphoricallyIn a metaphorical manner; not literally; by means of metaphor.
- virtually
Meaning of literally
- adverb Without overstatement or understatement, or false or misleading words.
- adverb With phrasings that might normally be used or understood as figurative: truly; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor.
- adverb Draws attention to a pun or other wordplay involving an idiom.
literally in other languages
Questions about synonyms of literally
- What is another word for literally?
- Literally has 52 synonyms on Word.ws, such as honestly, simply, frankly, legitimately, undoubtedly, really and right.
- What is the opposite of literally?
- The opposite of literally is figuratively. Other antonyms of literally are metaphorically.
- What does literally mean?
- Literally means without overstatement or understatement, or false or misleading words.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: literally (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of literally.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/literally. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.