non sequitur

Definition of non sequiturnext
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 These sequences can be beguilingly attractive, but their inclusions are complete non sequiturs — blink-and-you’ll-miss-it digressions toward a more engaging film. Blake Simons, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026 Some, like the rapper, passed with flying colors, while others weren't sure what to make of the non sequitur. Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025 Tracy’s dialogue, though absent the staccato non sequiturs of the director’s earlier work, has a bracing nastiness; every visual flourish and every menacing thrum of the score, by Jerskin Fendrix, escalates the intensity of Stone and Plemons’s bravura showdown. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025 Long before Neeson would inherit the detective badge and a full clip of non sequiturs, Paramount announced Ed Helms would be taking on the Drebin role in 2013 with writers behind the Night at the Museum movies providing a script to revitalize the Naked Gun franchise. Chris Lee, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for non sequitur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for non sequitur
Noun
  • Its loose structure allows for a wealth of tangents, touching on everything from whether HBO shows have the right amount of nudity to the hosts’ personal lives.
    Daniel Strauss, Vanity Fair, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The realization inspired Shapiro’s team to go off on a tangent, mapping the flow of oxygen to coral tissues via cilia.
    Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The nonsense began last year as a stunt tied to a cryptocurrency group, but more recently has been linked to groups protesting league policies.
    Greg Cote August 23, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026
  • This nonsense with Canada should have never gone into effect.
    Ian Thomas, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The Los Angeles Police Department released a video that shows officers at the Valley jail manhandle an uncooperative inmate who died after he was left handcuffed with a bag over his head while laying prone on the bunk in his cell.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps the bunk room, which features two sets of queen bunk beds perfect for friend groups, families, and those young at heart.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • By using two mediums to highlight the warm absurdity of the fairy-tale tropes, Enchanted cheekily celebrates what only animation can do.
    James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • However, others should not be forced to adhere to absurdity for the sake of feelings.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Non sequitur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/non%20sequitur. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster