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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of indirect
The company supports over 43,000 direct and indirect jobs in Texas, and has an over $8.9 billion economic impact on the state.
—
Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2025
Impacts ranged from moderate to severe among the wolves across the three packs, generating a total of about $1.4 million to $3.4 million in indirect losses, according to the research.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
Oman’s capital, Muscat, hosted the first round of negotiations between Araghchi and Witkoff last weekend, which saw the two men meet face to face after indirect talks.
—Matthew Lee and Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Taxes on property were considered direct taxes, while indirect taxes were those on labor and services, raising a question.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2025
Impacts ranged from moderate to severe among the wolves across the three packs, generating a total of about $1.4 million to $3.4 million in indirect losses, according to the research.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
Oman’s capital, Muscat, hosted the first round of negotiations between Araghchi and Witkoff last weekend, which saw the two men meet face to face after indirect talks.
—Matthew Lee and Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Taxes on property were considered direct taxes, while indirect taxes were those on labor and services, raising a question.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indirect
Adjective
-
So in a roundabout way, there was a collective groan late Sunday night in Portland when Lillard crumpled to the floor like he had been shot in Milwaukee.—
Jason Quick,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Listen to this article A massive project to transform historic Grand Avenue in Escondido into a new city hub is well underway, having already created wider sidewalks, new parking, a roundabout and other improvements along one block.—
Gary Warth,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
With circular business models still in their infancy across most sectors, investors have a singular opportunity to get in on the ground floor.—
Rob Kaplan,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
At Lou Lou’s Jungle Room, the circular bar that appeared in the original Top Gun in 1986 was revived.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indirect. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share