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
Scott Ford, deputy director for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership said that local filming can bring indirect benefits.
—
Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Prepare grill for indirect grilling, heating one side to high and leaving one side unheated.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
The remarks were interpreted by many on the right as an incorrect classification of Robinson’s beliefs and a direct or indirect placement of blame for Kirk’s murder on extreme-right politics.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Now the government is organizing parliamentary elections, but the electoral process will be indirect and tightly controlled; a third of parliament’s seats will be appointed by the presidency.
—Sam Heller, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Prepare grill for indirect grilling, heating one side to high and leaving one side unheated.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
The remarks were interpreted by many on the right as an incorrect classification of Robinson’s beliefs and a direct or indirect placement of blame for Kirk’s murder on extreme-right politics.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Now the government is organizing parliamentary elections, but the electoral process will be indirect and tightly controlled; a third of parliament’s seats will be appointed by the presidency.
—Sam Heller, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indirect
Adjective
-
Hornung took a roundabout way to becoming a therapist.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Olson stars on High Potential as Morgan Gillory, a single mother of three whose IQ of 160 and roundabout ways of thinking become an asset to the LAPD's Major Crimes Division.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Picasso looked up the circular column to the lights of the bank lobby above, as if doing calculations in his head.—
Christopher C. Gorham
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
-
This development represents a major step toward a scalable, circular, and environmentally responsible rare earth economy, potentially transforming how critical materials are recovered worldwide.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indirect. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share