indirection
noun
in·di·rec·tion
ˌin-də-ˈrek-shən 
-(ˌ)dī-
1
a
: indirect action or procedure
b
: lack of direction : aimlessness
2
a
: lack of straightforwardness and openness : deceitfulness
b
: something (such as an act or statement) marked by lack of straightforwardness
hated diplomatic indirections—
Rev. of Reviews
Rev. of ReviewsExamples of indirection in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Compared with Severance’s usual storytelling mode in season two, where any explicit plot point is buried in layers of ambiguity, vagueness, and artful indirection, the conversation between the Marks is immediately, beautifully blunt.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
There may be many other backdoors, but the one everyone is talking about uses the function indirection stuff to add the hook.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 1 Apr. 2024
His direction is the art of indirection, something borne out by other films in the MOMA retrospective.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2024
The statute explicitly prohibits targeting Americans for surveillance — including by indirection (i.e., targeting non-Americans only as a pretext to spy on Americans with whom the foreigners are in contact).
—The Editors, National Review, 12 Apr. 2024
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Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
There may be many other backdoors, but the one everyone is talking about uses the function indirection stuff to add the hook.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 1 Apr. 2024
His direction is the art of indirection, something borne out by other films in the MOMA retrospective.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2024
The statute explicitly prohibits targeting Americans for surveillance — including by indirection (i.e., targeting non-Americans only as a pretext to spy on Americans with whom the foreigners are in contact).
—The Editors, National Review, 12 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for indirection
Cite this Entry
“Indirection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indirection. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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