indirect

adjective in·di·rect \ ˌin-də-ˈrekt , -(ˌ)dī- \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of indirect

: 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

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indirectly

play \ˌin-də-ˈrekt-lē, -(ˌ)dī-\ adverb

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indirectness

play \ˌin-də-ˈrekt-nəs, -(ˌ)dī-\ noun

See indirect defined for English-language learners

See indirect defined for kids

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

In addition to the most recent study, by Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, other surveys have estimated that more than 1,000 Puerto Ricans died in the weeks after Maria as either direct or indirect results of the storm.

— jackie calmes, latimes.com, "Trump showcases plans for 2018 hurricane season as he's remained silent about Puerto Rico's death toll and lingering problems," 6 June 2018
These landmark shifts are the result of the tax overhaul’s direct and indirect changes to the longstanding provision allowing filers to deduct home-mortgage interest on Schedule A. These changes are set to expire at the end of 2025.

— laura saunders, WSJ, "Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage? The New Tax Law Changes the Math," 1 June 2018
That exposure can be direct or indirect, and could result from seeing each new tragedy replayed continually in media coverage.

— claire lampen, Teen Vogue, "Living In Fear of Mass Shootings Is Giving Students PTSD," 24 May 2018
Another week, another column, another swipe, direct or indirect, at the President or his Party.

— peter king, SI.com, "Marty Hurney: Uncertainty Ahead, Unusual Path Behind and Unique Story In Between," 28 Feb. 2018
If Trump is innocent of any involvement, direct or indirect, in Russia’s activities to affect our election, why has the White House taken such an interest in the testimony of various figures before the congressional investigating committees?

— elizabeth drew, The New Republic, "Robert Mueller Doesn’t Need a Smoking Gun," 26 Feb. 2018
Spokesman Steve Van Dinter quickly dispatched Verizon's indirect agent team to contact the retailer, Victra.

— cleveland.com, "Verizon customer battles nightmare with new phones that don't work, hundreds in unexpected fees: Money Matters," 21 Feb. 2018
Two-zone cooking uses a combination of direct and indirect cooking methods. ...

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Indirect or direct heat during grilling? How to choose," 26 May 2018
Artiles won his seat by 10 points in 2016, but will need the support of party leadership to run a competitive state Senate campaign, which typically costs several million dollars in direct and indirect expenses.

— david smiley, miamiherald, "Signs point to a Frank Artiles comeback campaign for the Florida Senate | Miami Herald," 11 May 2018

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense a(1)

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indirect Synonyms

INDIRECT Defined for Kids

indirect

adjective in·di·rect \ ˌin-də-ˈrekt , -dī- \

Definition 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

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indirectly

adverb

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indirectness

noun

Medical Dictionary

indirect

adjective in·di·rect \ ˌin-də-ˈrekt, -dī- \

medical Definition of indirect

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

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