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
But a senior Iranian official said any negotiations would be indirect, with Oman acting as intermediary.
—
Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
While increasing its military presence in the region, reports indicate that the Trump administration is considering indirect talks with Iran to curb the expansion of its nuclear program and avoid a direct confrontation.
—Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
In February, the university pointed to the National Institutes of Health proposal to significantly reduce payments to universities for indirect research costs, a policy currently facing legal challenges at the federal level.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025
The White House is seriously considering an Iranian proposal for indirect nuclear talks, while at the same time significantly boosting U.S. forces in the Middle East in case President Trump opts for military strikes, two U.S. officials tell Axios.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
While increasing its military presence in the region, reports indicate that the Trump administration is considering indirect talks with Iran to curb the expansion of its nuclear program and avoid a direct confrontation.
—Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
In February, the university pointed to the National Institutes of Health proposal to significantly reduce payments to universities for indirect research costs, a policy currently facing legal challenges at the federal level.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025
The White House is seriously considering an Iranian proposal for indirect nuclear talks, while at the same time significantly boosting U.S. forces in the Middle East in case President Trump opts for military strikes, two U.S. officials tell Axios.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indirect. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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