nonlinear

adjective

non·​lin·​e·​ar ˌnän-ˈli-nē-ər How to pronounce nonlinear (audio)
: 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
nonlinearity noun
plural nonlinearities
nonlinearly adverb

Examples of nonlinear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The story unfolds as a series of nonlinear chapters, the first of which finds Agnes hosting a visit from Lydie (Naomi Ackie), a friend and former roommate. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 The entire chip had three layers of neurons performing matrix multiplications and two nonlinear function units in between. Ars Technica, 12 Jan. 2025 This is an inventive nonlinear work whose story intuitively employs archival stills and footage to leap from the 1960s Civil Rights movement to the 2000s. Robert Daniels, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025 Rashida has expertly navigated MSNBC through a years-long, unrelenting and unprecedented news cycle, all while driving the network to record viewership and making investments in nonlinear businesses. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for nonlinear 

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonlinear was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near nonlinear

Cite this Entry

“Nonlinear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonlinear. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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