nonlinear

adjective

non·​lin·​e·​ar ˌnän-ˈli-nē-ər How to pronounce nonlinear (audio)
: not linear
nonlinear thinking
a nonlinear narrative
… I was already interested in the nonlinear manner in which ideas and fashions travel through our culture …Lyall Watson
nonlinearity noun
plural nonlinearities
nonlinearly adverb

Examples of nonlinear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But perhaps the most consequential revisions happened during Alex Lilly’s (Cary Christopher) chapter of the nonlinear narrative. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025 The researchers aim to streamline it by developing new nonlinear materials and compact light sources. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025 The path to output is nonlinear. Prashant Kondle, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 Blue Valentine tells the story of a married couple — Dean and Cindy — that unravels throughout the course of the movie, which is told in a nonlinear fashion. Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nonlinear

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonlinear was in 1884

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Cite this Entry

“Nonlinear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonlinear. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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