as in direct
free from irregularities or digressions in course
the bullets from early firearms were notorious for not following a strictly linear path through the air
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Recent Examples of linear
But Mahomes is learning now, like all the greats do, success and growth are not always linear.
—
Andrew Callahan, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2026
Comcast announced about a year ago plans to separate declining linear cable assets from its core broadband business and the rest of NBCUniversal.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
Restrictions on pin-base compact fluorescent and linear fluorescent lamps are set to begin in 2027.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
As in many of Marshall’s finest paintings, linear time is disrupted, disjointed, out of whack.
—James Meyer, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for linear
Andrew Callahan, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2026
Comcast announced about a year ago plans to separate declining linear cable assets from its core broadband business and the rest of NBCUniversal.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
Restrictions on pin-base compact fluorescent and linear fluorescent lamps are set to begin in 2027.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
As in many of Marshall’s finest paintings, linear time is disrupted, disjointed, out of whack.
—James Meyer, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for linear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for linear
Adjective
-
Your boss’s boss is your direct line to visibility.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
If dark matter’s only interactions are gravitational, direct detection might truly be a physical impossibility for us.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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After interviewing for multiple head coaching jobs this month, McDaniel agreed to join Jim Harbaugh with the Chargers, who finished their second straight 11-6 season under their veteran head coach with another playoff exit in the wild-card round.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
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Transfer icing to a pastry bag fitted with a very small straight tip (or use a resealable plastic bag and snip off one corner); pipe a pattern on top of marzipan as desired.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Consider it a straightforward way to lock in international travel without juggling flights.—
Paris Wilson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Here's how to create the optimal environment for seed-starting, plus straightforward tips for increasing your germination success.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Linear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/linear. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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