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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of indirect
Direct impacts of hurricanes are obvious, but indirect effects are often as problematic.
—
Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
ShadowLeak starts where most attacks on LLMs do—with an indirect prompt injection.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
The Peacock comedy, an indirect spinoff of The Office set at an Ohio newspaper, is set for a second run on the broadcast network starting in November.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Transforming vacant lots in 52306 to green spaces One indirect way to combat violence is by investing in neighborhoods.
—Cleo Krejci, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
ShadowLeak starts where most attacks on LLMs do—with an indirect prompt injection.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
The Peacock comedy, an indirect spinoff of The Office set at an Ohio newspaper, is set for a second run on the broadcast network starting in November.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Transforming vacant lots in 52306 to green spaces One indirect way to combat violence is by investing in neighborhoods.
—Cleo Krejci, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indirect
Adjective
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Hornung took a roundabout way to becoming a therapist.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
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Olson stars on High Potential as Morgan Gillory, a single mother of three whose IQ of 160 and roundabout ways of thinking become an asset to the LAPD's Major Crimes Division.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Picasso looked up the circular column to the lights of the bank lobby above, as if doing calculations in his head.—
Christopher C. Gorham
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
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This development represents a major step toward a scalable, circular, and environmentally responsible rare earth economy, potentially transforming how critical materials are recovered worldwide.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indirect. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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