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
Milton ended up being responsible for 15 direct deaths as well as 27 indirect deaths, according to Florida station WINK-TV.
—
Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
More often, the poetry, or at least the aura of it, is indirect.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
The purification method the city is using for Phase One — called indirect potable reuse — softened that image somewhat by requiring the purified water to sit in a reservoir for months.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Not only are tariffs at least partially passed through to consumers, but, as the Tax Foundation points out, tariffs hurt in indirect ways as well.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
More often, the poetry, or at least the aura of it, is indirect.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
The purification method the city is using for Phase One — called indirect potable reuse — softened that image somewhat by requiring the purified water to sit in a reservoir for months.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Not only are tariffs at least partially passed through to consumers, but, as the Tax Foundation points out, tariffs hurt in indirect ways as well.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indirect
Adjective
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In this roundabout way, the pledge would redound to China’s benefit, too, as long as Beijing truly does not wish to use force to annex Taiwan.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 2025
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In 2020, the Supreme Court — in a roundabout way — ended the confusion by refusing to consider an appellate ruling that validated special taxes proposed by initiative and approved by simple majorities.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The interior features a two-story circular foyer, natural fireplace, and a primary suite with a marble bath, according to the listing.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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The collaboration brings together Coach’s heritage craftsmanship and B&V’s expertise in circular innovation.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indirect. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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