literalism

Definitions

The tendency to interpret or represent something in a strictly factual or unimaginative way.

The practice of interpreting texts, especially religious scriptures, according to their exact, primary, or surface meaning.

A strict adherence to the exact wording or literal sense of a rule, law, or statement.

Examples

His strict literalism prevented him from appreciating the metaphorical depth of the poem.

The legal debate centered on whether the judge's literalism undermined the original intent of the statute.

Synonyms

strict adherence exactness verbatim interpretation dogmatism orthodoxy

Antonyms

figurative interpretation metaphorical approach liberal interpretation flexibility nuance