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
Those left without jobs included more than 4,800 direct and indirect employees in South and Central Florida, according to a WARN notice the company belatedly filed with the state of Florida on May 4.
—
David Lyons, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Those left without jobs included more than 4,800 direct and indirect employees in South and Central Florida, according to a WARN notice the company belatedly filed with the state of Florida on May 4.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Bright sunlight, direct, dappled, or indirect, works well for succulents grown indoors.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 12 May 2026
The indirect benefits have already started for the Cyclones.
—Matt Baker, New York Times, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for indirect
David Lyons, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Those left without jobs included more than 4,800 direct and indirect employees in South and Central Florida, according to a WARN notice the company belatedly filed with the state of Florida on May 4.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Bright sunlight, direct, dappled, or indirect, works well for succulents grown indoors.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 12 May 2026
The indirect benefits have already started for the Cyclones.
—Matt Baker, New York Times, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indirect
Adjective
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Which is, in a roundabout way, how Colicchio ended up an investor in 30 companies.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
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Turn east onto McLeod, go right at the roundabout, turn left on Howell Road and make a right on Kirsten Road.—
Noah Daly
Updated May 12,
Idaho Statesman,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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The first American pizzeria opened in downtown Manhattan in 1905, and the city’s signature thin, circular slice traces directly to that moment.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 May 2026
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When one of Zotkina’s colleagues, archaeologist Ksenia Kolobova, saw a pattern of circular marks lining the hole that were similar to those made by early human dental work, Zotkina was intrigued.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indirect. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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