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
Within its first two years, the facility was the direct or indirect source of more than 800 emergency calls to the Carlsbad Police Department.
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Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025
Before, some people would say that Gaza was under only indirect Israeli control via the blockade.
—Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2025
In November, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership estimated the storm’s direct and indirect economic effects across the southwest Virginia region cost more than $2 billion.
—Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Jan. 2025
The indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have reached a critical point a week before President-elect Trump is sworn into office.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for indirect 
Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025
Before, some people would say that Gaza was under only indirect Israeli control via the blockade.
—Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2025
In November, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership estimated the storm’s direct and indirect economic effects across the southwest Virginia region cost more than $2 billion.
—Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Jan. 2025
The indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have reached a critical point a week before President-elect Trump is sworn into office.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for indirect
Thesaurus Entries Near indirect
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indirect. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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