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
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Based on the story of the same name, Flanagan takes King’s nonlinear structure and wonderful conceptual hook and translates them beautifully to the screen. Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 8 June 2025 Choi lets the reader in on his survival through Flashlight’s nonlinear structure, which may be, if not the most experimental way she’s told a story, the trickiest approach she’s taken. Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 3 June 2025 Mind maps themselves encourage rapid brainstorming, nonlinear thinking and collaborative refinement. Anusha Nerella, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025 The platform has been carving out a nonlinear lane for itself, and along the way, Kanabar and her team have remained focused on building an ecosystem of shoppable designers from the continent, including Andrea Iyamah, Rendoll, and Onalaja. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 18 July 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 19 Aug. 2025.

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