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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Axios-ese strikes me as particularly unsuited to corporate communication, which for better or worse is packed deliberately with euphemism and indirection and exaggerated diplomacy. —Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 26 Sep. 2022

Dutiful sons often revere their fathers for their instruction in the ways of the world—by direction and indirection, sterling example and train wreck. —Edward Kosner, WSJ, 5 May 2022

This might suggest that a truer study of the psyche and its place in the world could be conducted via indirection or obliquity. —Matthew Bevis, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Feb. 2022

Antrim’s writing here is brilliant in its indirection and compression. —David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2021

The letter is included in the report and is an exquisite piece of clerical indirection and equivocation. —Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2020

The nearly plotless story snares us through indirection to produce a pleasingly dark collage. —Claude Peck, Star Tribune, 23 Oct. 2020

Multiple layers of obfuscation and indirection are standard in this criminal realm. —Rahul Kashyap, Quartz, 15 Jan. 2020

In fairness, elaboration could detract from Magid’s mode of storytelling, which relies a lot on indirection and leaving things unsaid. —Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 26 June 2019

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Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1a