indirect
adjective
in·di·rect
ˌin-də-ˈrekt 
-(ˌ)dī-
: not direct: such as
a(1)
: deviating from a direct line or course : roundabout
(2)
: not going straight to the point
an indirect accusation
(3)
: being or involving proof of a proposition or theorem by demonstration that its negation leads to an absurdity or contradiction
b
: not straightforward and open : deceitful
c
: not directly aimed at or achieved
indirect consequences
d
: stating what a real or supposed original speaker said with changes in wording that conform the statement grammatically to the sentence in which it is included
indirect discourse
an indirect question
e
: not effected by the action of the people or the electorate
indirect government representation
Examples of indirect in a Sentence
We took an indirect route.
These plants grow best in bright indirect light.
He gave only vague, indirect answers to our questions.
They used indirect methods of investigation.
There were many indirect references to his earlier books.
Looking at her watch was her indirect way of telling him it was time to leave.
Poor nutrition may have been an indirect cause of the disease.
The cigarette stubs were indirect evidence that someone had been smoking in the room.
“He said that he would call later,” is an example of indirect speech since his actual words were “I'll call later.”
an indirect question such as “She asked whether the doctor had arrived”
Recent Examples on the Web
But the indirect benefits seem to reflect a posture against green energy, related to unbelief in climate change, and these lead to support for inefficient energy alternatives like nuclear and geothermal and gas-fired turbines.
—
Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Anticipated after 72 hours: Summit; Depending on success of indirect fireline, the fire may be mostly contained.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2025
The indirect talks over a U.S. proposal for a 60-day ceasefire are being held in Doha, but optimism that surfaced last week of a looming deal has largely faded, with both sides accusing each other of intransigence.
—Crispian Balmer, USA Today, 13 July 2025
Now, a series of experimental therapies are laying the groundwork for potentially reversing the condition, which affects nearly 10 million people worldwide and can generate costs of approximately $10,000 per patient per year, when considering direct and indirect medical expenses.
—Fernanda González, Wired News, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Anticipated after 72 hours: Summit; Depending on success of indirect fireline, the fire may be mostly contained.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2025
The indirect talks over a U.S. proposal for a 60-day ceasefire are being held in Doha, but optimism that surfaced last week of a looming deal has largely faded, with both sides accusing each other of intransigence.
—Crispian Balmer, USA Today, 13 July 2025
Now, a series of experimental therapies are laying the groundwork for potentially reversing the condition, which affects nearly 10 million people worldwide and can generate costs of approximately $10,000 per patient per year, when considering direct and indirect medical expenses.
—Fernanda González, Wired News, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indirect. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indirect
adjective
in·di·rect
ˌin-də-ˈrekt
-dī-
1
: not straight or direct
an indirect route
2
: not straightforward
indirect methods
an indirect answer
3
: not having a plainly seen connection
an indirect cause
4
: stating what an original speaker said with changes in wording that make the statement fit grammatically with the rest of the sentence
"that he would call" in "He said that he would call" is in indirect discourse
indirectly
adverb
Medical Definition
indirect
adjective
in·di·rect
ˌin-də-ˈrekt, -dī-
1
: not direct: as
a
: not resulting directly from an action or cause (as a disease)
indirect effects of malaria
b
: involving intermediate or intervening parts or pathways
stimulation of one eye elicits narrowing of the pupil of the other eye by an indirect reaction
indirect attachment of a muscle through tendons
2
: involving or being immunofluorescence in which antibodies of two kinds are used of which the first combine with a specific protein and the second contain a fluorescent label and combine with the antibodies of the first type
indirectly
adverb
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