nonlinear
adjective
non·lin·e·ar
ˌnän-ˈli-nē-ər 
: 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
Lyall Watson
nonlinearly
adverb
Examples of nonlinear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The relationship between testosterone and AFib risk was nonlinear, meaning that men whose testosterone levels fell below normal also had higher odds of developing AFib.
—Brian Mastroianni, Health, 5 June 2024
National decision-makers, obliged to make choices in an open, dynamic, nonlinear system that is rarely in equilibrium, should act incrementally and learn from trial and error.
—James B. Steinberg, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2020
While the story unfolded chronologically in the book, the show took a different approach, with a nonlinear narrative that jumped back and forth between eras.
—Andrew Webster, The Verge, 30 May 2024
That means looking to older generations, people with neurodiversity, those with criminal records or who are on nonlinear career paths, and skilled people returning to work after unemployment or stints as family caregivers.
—Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 29 Feb. 2024
Told in a nonlinear timeline, Dorris' ambitious novel highlights the importance of lineage, and the bonds of a family’s history.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 4 May 2024
Adobe Premiere Pro earns its status as industry-standard video editing software thanks to its familiar nonlinear editing interface, unmatched ecosystem of tools, and powerful capabilities.
—PCMAG, 1 May 2024
All three main actors ace their arcs and changing looks over time – that’s key in a nonlinear film like this that’s all over the place.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
Photographers are likely to opt for nonlinear focus, in which slower turns make fine adjustments and quicker ones rack across the focus range more aggressively.
—PCMAG, 28 Mar. 2024
Brian Mastroianni, Health, 5 June 2024
National decision-makers, obliged to make choices in an open, dynamic, nonlinear system that is rarely in equilibrium, should act incrementally and learn from trial and error.
—James B. Steinberg, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2020
While the story unfolded chronologically in the book, the show took a different approach, with a nonlinear narrative that jumped back and forth between eras.
—Andrew Webster, The Verge, 30 May 2024
That means looking to older generations, people with neurodiversity, those with criminal records or who are on nonlinear career paths, and skilled people returning to work after unemployment or stints as family caregivers.
—Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 29 Feb. 2024
Told in a nonlinear timeline, Dorris' ambitious novel highlights the importance of lineage, and the bonds of a family’s history.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 4 May 2024
Adobe Premiere Pro earns its status as industry-standard video editing software thanks to its familiar nonlinear editing interface, unmatched ecosystem of tools, and powerful capabilities.
—PCMAG, 1 May 2024
All three main actors ace their arcs and changing looks over time – that’s key in a nonlinear film like this that’s all over the place.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
Photographers are likely to opt for nonlinear focus, in which slower turns make fine adjustments and quicker ones rack across the focus range more aggressively.
—PCMAG, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nonlinear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near nonlinear
Cite this Entry
“Nonlinear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonlinear. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
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