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
Several companies with direct or indirect connections to FTX — including BlockFi, Voyager, Celsius, Genesis, and Gemini — went bankrupt in a matter of weeks.
—
Kevin Williams, Quartz, 8 May 2025
Only 41 percent reported no direct or indirect impact.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
Some employees described a pattern of indirect communication: telling their manager instead of their peer, who then told another manager to pass the message along.
—Kathleen Shanley, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Most recently, the court said Maine couldn’t exclude religious schools from an indirect aid program based on the schools’ religious use of the funds.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Kevin Williams, Quartz, 8 May 2025
Only 41 percent reported no direct or indirect impact.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
Some employees described a pattern of indirect communication: telling their manager instead of their peer, who then told another manager to pass the message along.
—Kathleen Shanley, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Most recently, the court said Maine couldn’t exclude religious schools from an indirect aid program based on the schools’ religious use of the funds.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indirect
Adjective
-
Weak track record Wary of backlash from their constituents, Republicans have agreed on a strategy that would largely cut Medicaid spending in a roundabout way.—
Jane Tavares,
The Conversation,
13 May 2025
-
Looking back, Lia recalls one of the biggest challenges of that New York shoot was, in a roundabout way, Taylor Swift.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
Its monumental circular tower, the largest in the region, boasts ingenious features such as notches designed to pour hot date syrup on invaders.—
Natasha Amar,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
-
Add egg mixture, and cook, stirring gently and scraping bottom of skillet in a circular motion using a rubber spatula, until large curds begin to form and bare spots appear on bottom of skillet, about 45 seconds.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indirect. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share