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 process of getting back on the court following multiple concussions was nonlinear and endlessly frustrating for Ducharme, fluctuating frequently between feeling well enough to practice and struggling with day-to-day activities. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025 The nonlinear structure also reflects the way memory works—fragmented and unreliable. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025 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 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonlinear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonlinear. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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