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
In the early twentieth century, the Soviet Union attempted similar linear cities.
—
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 May 2026
Flynn is a poet by trade and this memoir is neither linear nor prescriptive.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Xavier Legette was fast in the NFL Scouting Combine in 2024 but hasn’t been able to showcase that linear speed much in his two years in the NFL.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
Two double balance wheels inclined at 30 degrees dominate the lower half, with the upper half featuring a subdial for the running seconds, a four-minute indicator for the differential that supplies power to the two balances, and a linear power display.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for linear
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 May 2026
Flynn is a poet by trade and this memoir is neither linear nor prescriptive.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Xavier Legette was fast in the NFL Scouting Combine in 2024 but hasn’t been able to showcase that linear speed much in his two years in the NFL.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
Two double balance wheels inclined at 30 degrees dominate the lower half, with the upper half featuring a subdial for the running seconds, a four-minute indicator for the differential that supplies power to the two balances, and a linear power display.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for linear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for linear
Adjective
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But as online marketplaces widen their delivery network across the country and social media marketing levels the playing field, direct-to-consumer, or D2C, brands are on the rise in India, according to experts.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
7 May 2026
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And even direct calls were becoming indirect.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Nicole Kidman Co-chair and Chanel ambassador Nicole Kidman wore a long-sleeve red paillette gown with a close fit through the torso and a straight skirt that skimmed the floor before pooling into a small train in the back.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
4 May 2026
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The Wild’s penalty-killers pounced, starting a rush the other way that ended with Marcus Foligno beating Scott Wedgewood for a 5-4 Wild lead — Minnesota’s third straight goal and its third of the period.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
The answer is fairly straightforward.—
Gene Ludwig,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
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The rules surrounding joint accounts and debt collection aren't always straightforward, either.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Linear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/linear. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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