Definition of indirect
: not direct: such asa (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 contradictionb : not straightforward and open : deceitfulc : not directly aimed at or achieved indirect consequencesd : 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 questione : not effected by the action of the people or the electorate indirect government representation
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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 of indirect from the Web
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Mr Trump’s victory and Brexit—have only an indirect link to the financial crisis.
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For a gas grill, prepare grill for medium-low indirect heat, leaving one or two burners off.
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In an Instagram post this weekend, Lawson shared a few choice stanzas by the 13th-century poet Rumi, seemingly an indirect way of confirming that was Beyoncé and Jay Z's inspiration behind the moniker for Rumi Carter.
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The plan deeply worried universities and research institutions, which now individually negotiate indirect rates for their institutions with the government.
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It direct and indirect payroll impact has been estimated at $634 million.
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USC is the largest private employer in the city of Los Angeles, generating an annual $8 billion in direct and indirect economic output throughout the state, according to a report from Beacon Economics commissioned by the university.
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To grill the chicken: Place thighs, meaty side down, over indirect-heat area of grill.
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If true, that would violate Twitter's terms of service, which specifically prohibit direct or indirect threats of violence.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indirect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of indirect
Middle English, from Medieval Latin indirectus, from Latin in- + directus direct — more at dress
INDIRECT Defined for Kids
indirect
playDefinition of indirect for Students
1 : not straight or direct an indirect route
2 : not straightforward an indirect answer
3 : not having a plainly seen connection an indirect cause
indirectly
adverbindirectness
nounMedical Dictionary
indirect
playMedical Definition of indirect
1: not direct: asa: not resulting directly from an action or cause (as a disease) indirect effects of malariab: 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
adverbLearn More about indirect
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See words that rhyme with indirect Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for indirect Spanish Central: Translation of indirect Nglish: Translation of indirect for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of indirect for Arabic speakers
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