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
New vehicles and clothing will also see higher prices as an indirect result of higher utility bills, according to the note.
—
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
The visit by Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliament speaker who now serves as the secretary to the country's Supreme National Security Council, likely focused on what comes next after the initial round of indirect talks held last week in Muscat with the Americans.
—Jon Gambrell The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
The evaluation encompassed evaluations of companies based on direct and indirect recommendations.
—Time Staff, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
The visit by Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliament speaker who now serves as the secretary to the country’s Supreme National Security Council, likely focused on what comes next after the initial round of indirect talks held last week in Muscat with the Americans.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
The visit by Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliament speaker who now serves as the secretary to the country's Supreme National Security Council, likely focused on what comes next after the initial round of indirect talks held last week in Muscat with the Americans.
—Jon Gambrell The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
The evaluation encompassed evaluations of companies based on direct and indirect recommendations.
—Time Staff, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
The visit by Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliament speaker who now serves as the secretary to the country’s Supreme National Security Council, likely focused on what comes next after the initial round of indirect talks held last week in Muscat with the Americans.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indirect
Adjective
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This monologue on housing theory was a roundabout way of explaining a photo of Censori with her mother, aunt, and sister, in which Censori looks like the daughter of a Real Housewife of New Jersey, with a clementine tan and leopard-print bustier.—
Anna Peele,
Vanity Fair,
6 Feb. 2026
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Police identified the man as a drug dealer in a roundabout way.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Just a mile and a half down a country lane is Oldstead and the Black Swan, but ask about the circular walking route that Tommy’s dad drew.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, Donnie has made his way to a big, circular room within the mansion where several men are participating in orgy events.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indirect. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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