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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of indirect
Fresh, indirect negotiations had taken place in Egypt.
—
MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Seamus Heaney’s sonnets about Northern Ireland in the 1970s and Annie Ernaux’s memoirs of France in the 1960s propose indirect but approachable ways of engaging with personal and national history.
—Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025
The initiative begins with a ceasefire that is expected to go into effect after Israel's Cabinet votes on the truce agreement reached with Hamas following indirect talks in the Egyptian beach resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
Many have lost hope too, despite the indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas currently underway in Egypt.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Seamus Heaney’s sonnets about Northern Ireland in the 1970s and Annie Ernaux’s memoirs of France in the 1960s propose indirect but approachable ways of engaging with personal and national history.
—Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025
The initiative begins with a ceasefire that is expected to go into effect after Israel's Cabinet votes on the truce agreement reached with Hamas following indirect talks in the Egyptian beach resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
Many have lost hope too, despite the indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas currently underway in Egypt.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indirect
Adjective
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In 2020, the Supreme Court — in a roundabout way — ended the confusion by refusing to consider an appellate ruling that validated special taxes proposed by initiative and approved by simple majorities.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 2025
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In 2020, the Supreme Court — in a roundabout way — ended the confusion by refusing to consider an appellate ruling that validated special taxes proposed by initiative and approved by simple majorities.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Add a dab of dish soap to the stain, then use a toothbrush to gently scrub the fibers in a circular motion to remove the grease.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 Oct. 2025
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As the mechanism is based on a circular redox system, AGXX technology is not consumed but continuously regenerated.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indirect. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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