nonlinear
adj.adj. describing something that does not follow a straight line or a simple, direct order. You use this for stories that jump around in time or systems where a small change causes a huge, unexpected result.
adj. not following a sequential or straight-line progression; involving a relationship where the output is not directly proportional to the input.
The movie tells a nonlinear story that jumps between the past and present.
Climate change is a nonlinear process where small temperature increases can trigger sudden, massive shifts in the environment.
Modern video games often feature nonlinear gameplay, allowing players to choose their own objectives and explore the world in any order they prefer rather than following a fixed path.
From non- + linear.
Often used to describe narratives, mathematical equations, or historical progress. Frequently follows linking verbs like 'be' or 'appear'.