indirect evidence

noun

: evidence that establishes immediately collateral facts from which the main fact may be inferred : circumstantial evidence

Examples of indirect evidence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Part of that indirect evidence comes from modern animals’ ability to survive extreme and catastrophic situations by remaining in their burrows. —

Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024 Instead, Williams’ conviction was based on indirect evidence. —

Jenna Greene, Reuters, 3 Oct. 2024 But scientists who have tried to reconstruct circulation patterns over longer periods, by looking at indirect evidence, have concluded that the AMOC is slowing. —

Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 Despite the ongoing mystery, the abundance of eyewitness reports and indirect evidence points to the possibility that ball lightning is indeed real. —

Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for indirect evidence

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of indirect evidence was in 1824

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Indirect evidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indirect%20evidence. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

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