as in tangent
a statement that is not connected in a logical or clear way to anything said before it
We were talking about the new restaurant when she threw in some non sequitur about her dog.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of non sequitur
This is a love affair blossoming on the planet of non sequiturs, the kind of repartee moviegoers used to get with William Powell and Carole Lombard, or Cary Grant and Irene Dunne.
—
Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
The non sequitur sends Grace into arpeggios of laughter, but once Dylan is out of earshot, Grace discloses to me that she’s begun to regard Dylan as one of her own children.
—Barrett Swanson, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Economists were trafficking in non sequitur while at the same time glossing over the fact that work divided looms largest on prices.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
The ornery character actor Richard Kind is his announcer, barking non sequiturs from behind a podium.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for non sequitur
Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
The non sequitur sends Grace into arpeggios of laughter, but once Dylan is out of earshot, Grace discloses to me that she’s begun to regard Dylan as one of her own children.
—Barrett Swanson, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Economists were trafficking in non sequitur while at the same time glossing over the fact that work divided looms largest on prices.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
The ornery character actor Richard Kind is his announcer, barking non sequiturs from behind a podium.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for non sequitur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for non sequitur
Noun
-
Sirianni calls them with specific questions but winds up relishing in their tangents.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
-
Trump then went on an extended tangent about the 2016 election and his claims that there was wrongdoing by Obama White House officials.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
While countless users dismissed the theories as nonsense, the dog pile had begun causing the hot takes to go viral.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Bon Jovi’s team dismissed word of the tour as nonsense.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Choose from the comfort of a one-bedroom, the spaciousness of a two-bedroom, the luxury of a suite, or the fun of a bunk room, each with the option of a neighborhood view, an ocean view, or a partial ocean view.—
Ronny Maye,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
-
Room styles range from cozy micro-studios to charming bunk rooms for group getaways, with something for all travelers.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
To illustrate the absurdity of adhering too closely to genre conventions, Galloway describes a plot about an innocent girl who winds up in a strange town.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Drama, laughs, and a healthy dose of absurdity ensue.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Non sequitur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/non%20sequitur. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share