indirection

noun

in·​di·​rec·​tion ˌin-də-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce indirection (audio)
-(ˌ)dī-
1
a
: indirect action or procedure
b
: lack of direction : aimlessness
2
a
: lack of straightforwardness and openness : deceitfulness
b
: something (such as an act or statement) marked by lack of straightforwardness
hated diplomatic indirectionsRev. of Reviews

Examples of indirection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The title page of the 31-sheet mimeographed pamphlet was designed to hide the contents of the publication and perhaps make a joke about the flowery indirection of the Arabic language. Steve Hindy, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2015 There may be many other backdoors, but the one everyone is talking about uses the function indirection stuff to add the hook. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 1 Apr. 2024 His direction is the art of indirection, something borne out by other films in the MOMA retrospective. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2024 The statute explicitly prohibits targeting Americans for surveillance — including by indirection (i.e., targeting non-Americans only as a pretext to spy on Americans with whom the foreigners are in contact). The Editors, National Review, 12 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for indirection 

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of indirection was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near indirection

Cite this Entry

“Indirection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indirection. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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