nonlinear

Describing a system where changing what goes in does not cause a matching change in what comes out.

• The system has a nonlinear response.
• Doubling the input did not double the output in this nonlinear model.
• Researchers found a nonlinear relationship between dose and effect.

Opposites: linear

Common phrases: nonlinear system, nonlinear relationship, nonlinear response

Moving between different times, stages, or directions instead of following a steady, predictable order.

• The film has a nonlinear plot.
• Her nonlinear story jumps between childhood and old age.
• Recovery can be nonlinear, with sudden improvements followed by setbacks.

Similar words: erratic, discontinuous

Opposites: linear

Common phrases: nonlinear plot, nonlinear narrative, nonlinear progress

Describing points that do not all lie on one straight line.

• The points form a nonlinear arrangement.
• We plotted the nonlinear distribution of points.
• These nonlinear sets of points cannot fit on a single straight line.

Similar words: noncollinear

Opposites: collinear

Common phrases: nonlinear arrangement, nonlinear point distribution

Describing a molecule whose atoms are not arranged in one straight line.

• Water is a nonlinear molecule.
• The model shows a nonlinear molecular structure.
• Nonlinear molecules rotate differently from molecules whose atoms lie in a straight line.

Opposites: linear

Common phrases: nonlinear molecule, nonlinear molecular structure