as in roundabout
not straightforward or direct
the cab driver took a very indirect route to the hotel a long-winded, indirect answer to a very simple question
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Recent Examples of indirect
Israel and Hamas are engaged in indirect talks in Doha aimed at reaching a 60-day truce and hostage deal, although there has been no sign of breakthrough.
—
Nidal Al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 21 July 2025
The worst indirect strike, which killed 469 people in Egypt in 1994 after lightning ignited oil tanks that flooded the town of Dronka.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
Place the jar in an area that gets bright, indirect light, and change the water every few days.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Nidal Al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 21 July 2025
The worst indirect strike, which killed 469 people in Egypt in 1994 after lightning ignited oil tanks that flooded the town of Dronka.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
Place the jar in an area that gets bright, indirect light, and change the water every few days.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indirect
Adjective
-
In other jurisdictions, this has served as a roundabout way to force police departments to pull those officers from street patrol or detective work, roles that regularly require police to testify about arrests or other incidents.—
Skye Seipp,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Fox canceled the show, something the new season touches on in a roundabout way.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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This latest development comes less than a week after Loop introduced its circular polyester resin made entirely from textile waste, known as Twist.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Scrub with a soft sponge in circular motions, focusing on those stained areas.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indirect. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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