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 Additionally, patient conversations are often complex and involve disparate, nonlinear interactions with multiple clinicians. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 June 2024 The relationship between testosterone and AFib risk was nonlinear, meaning that men whose testosterone levels fell below normal also had higher odds of developing AFib. Brian Mastroianni, Health, 5 June 2024 National decision-makers, obliged to make choices in an open, dynamic, nonlinear system that is rarely in equilibrium, should act incrementally and learn from trial and error. James B. Steinberg, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2020 While the story unfolded chronologically in the book, the show took a different approach, with a nonlinear narrative that jumped back and forth between eras. Andrew Webster, The Verge, 30 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for nonlinear 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nonlinear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 28 Jun. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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