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
In essence, the state provides the college a percentage of the additional direct and indirect state tax revenues that students generate as a result of their attendance.
—
Michael B. Horn, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
At the same time, Tehran was engaged in indirect negotiations with the United States over its nuclear enrichment program.
—Amanda Castro
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Now imagine all that generating capacity approved by relevant agencies but turned back by the courts under NEPA because the agencies had not sufficiently considered the indirect effects of unrelated projects outside their jurisdiction.
—Stephen L. Carter, Twin Cities, 6 June 2025
This is direct communication (phallocentric) vs indirect communication (gynocentric).
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Michael B. Horn, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
At the same time, Tehran was engaged in indirect negotiations with the United States over its nuclear enrichment program.
—Amanda Castro
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Now imagine all that generating capacity approved by relevant agencies but turned back by the courts under NEPA because the agencies had not sufficiently considered the indirect effects of unrelated projects outside their jurisdiction.
—Stephen L. Carter, Twin Cities, 6 June 2025
This is direct communication (phallocentric) vs indirect communication (gynocentric).
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indirect
Adjective
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In a roundabout way, giving away Google's search tech could actually increase its influence.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2025
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So, in a roundabout way, the current economic storm is an unexpected boon for student loan borrowers.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Guests descend several circular staircases into a network of chalk pits and galleries, parts of which date to the Gallo-Roman era.—
Rachel King,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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Fashion for Good recently published an article that examines the environmental challenges of denim production and provides alternatives for more circular systems.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indirect. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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