“Literal” means following the ordinary or exact meaning of words, or describing something exactly as stated. Its contrasts include figurative language, indirect expression, and interpretive readings.
Which Contrast to “Literal” Fits Best?
Here are 13 options for “Literal,” with the distinction and a natural example for each.
As a quick guide, Figurative, Metaphorical, Symbolic, and Nonliteral cover some of the most common wording choices around “Literal.” The remaining options are more useful when the sentence calls for a narrower sense, a different register, or a particular grammatical setting. The examples below show those distinctions in ordinary sentences.
- Figurative
- Metaphorical
- Symbolic
- Nonliteral
- Idiomatic
- Hyperbolic
- Euphemistic
- Allegorical
- Poetic
- Allusive
- Implied
- Interpretive
- Abstract
Figurative
Figurative offers a contextual contrast to “Literal” when the sentence concerns figurative, indirect, or interpretive meaning.
Example: Her description was figurative rather than a literal account of the scene.
Metaphorical
Metaphorical is useful on the contrasting side of “Literal” in contexts involving figurative, indirect, or interpretive meaning, but it is not a universal dictionary antonym.
Example: The phrase “a mountain of work” is metaphorical, not literal.
Symbolic
Choose Symbolic when the contrast with “Literal” is specifically about figurative, indirect, or interpretive meaning.
Example: The broken chain was symbolic of freedom rather than a literal object in the story.
Nonliteral
Nonliteral highlights a different direction from “Literal” where the context centers on figurative, indirect, or interpretive meaning.
Example: The joke depends on a nonliteral reading of the sentence.
Idiomatic
Idiomatic offers a contextual contrast to “Literal” when the sentence concerns figurative, indirect, or interpretive meaning.
Example: “Spill the beans” is idiomatic and cannot be understood literally word by word.
Hyperbolic
Hyperbolic is useful on the contrasting side of “Literal” in contexts involving figurative, indirect, or interpretive meaning, but it is not a universal dictionary antonym.
Example: Calling the queue “a mile long” was hyperbolic rather than literal.
Euphemistic
Choose Euphemistic when the contrast with “Literal” is specifically about figurative, indirect, or interpretive meaning.
Example: The notice used euphemistic wording instead of a literal description.
Allegorical
Allegorical highlights a different direction from “Literal” where the context centers on figurative, indirect, or interpretive meaning.
Example: The journey is allegorical, representing a broader moral struggle.
Poetic
Poetic offers a contextual contrast to “Literal” when the sentence concerns figurative, indirect, or interpretive meaning.
Example: The poem uses poetic language that is not meant to be read literally.
Allusive
Allusive is useful on the contrasting side of “Literal” in contexts involving figurative, indirect, or interpretive meaning, but it is not a universal dictionary antonym.
Example: Her allusive remark pointed indirectly to an earlier controversy.
Implied
Choose Implied when the contrast with “Literal” is specifically about figurative, indirect, or interpretive meaning.
Example: The criticism was implied rather than stated literally.
Interpretive
Interpretive highlights a different direction from “Literal” where the context centers on figurative, indirect, or interpretive meaning.
Example: The final paragraph offers an interpretive reading rather than a literal summary.
Abstract
Abstract offers a contextual contrast to “Literal” when the sentence concerns figurative, indirect, or interpretive meaning.
Example: The discussion became abstract instead of focusing on literal, concrete details.
Choosing the Right Contrast to “Literal”
“Figurative” and “nonliteral” are the broadest contrasts. More specific choices such as “metaphorical,” “idiomatic,” “hyperbolic,” and “euphemistic” identify the particular way a passage departs from literal wording.