adjective
- interpreting words or statements in an excessively strict or narrow sense, without regard for context, intent, or figurative meaning
Usage: often used critically to describe an interpretation that misses the broader point or spirit of something
Examples
- His overliteral reading of the poem missed the author's intended metaphor.
- Taking the instructions in an overliteral way led to an absurd result.
- She criticized his overliteral interpretation of the contract's language.
- An overliteral approach to idioms can make communication confusing.
- The teacher warned against overliteral analysis that ignores historical context.
- His overliteral understanding of the joke made him miss the humor entirely.