as in roundabout
not straightforward or direct
the cab driver took a very indirect route to the hotel a long-winded, indirect answer to a very simple question
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Recent Examples of indirect
An indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole projector to cast images of the Sun, can also be used to see the partial phases of the eclipse, NASA said.
—
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 18 June 2026
In their native habitat in Western Africa, snake plants grow in dry climates and love plenty of light—both direct and indirect sun.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
There may be one indirect advantage, however.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 15 June 2026
This includes about 29,000 direct construction jobs, more than 80,000 indirect and induced construction jobs and nearly 10,000 jobs related to wind farm operations.
—Jennifer McDermott, Fortune, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 18 June 2026
In their native habitat in Western Africa, snake plants grow in dry climates and love plenty of light—both direct and indirect sun.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
There may be one indirect advantage, however.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 15 June 2026
This includes about 29,000 direct construction jobs, more than 80,000 indirect and induced construction jobs and nearly 10,000 jobs related to wind farm operations.
—Jennifer McDermott, Fortune, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indirect
Adjective
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Republicans changed federal law to require an equal tax on private and public health insurance plans, negating a roundabout way California had used a tax on Medi-Cal plans to get more money from the federal government.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
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The party that’s most benefited from this trade one year in has been neither the Giants nor the Red Sox, but in a roundabout way, the Milwaukee Brewers.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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Toward the beginning of the episode, the group sits down to eat at a hole-in-the-wall barbecue spot and the camera swings around the table in a sweeping circular motion, capturing everyone laughing, bonding and sharing a meal.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
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The image showed Robinson gazing at the camera, dressed in circular statement earrings and a bandana print blouse buttoned to the top.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indirect. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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