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
Approaching 36,000 acres in size, the fire moves closer to indirect containment lines as firing operations continue.
—
Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Netanyahu initially said Israel would conquer all of Gaza after indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal broke down in July.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
While earlier space research on stem cells suggested vulnerabilities in more indirect or limited ways, this study provides much clearer evidence of aging, said Elena Kozlova, a professor in the department of immunology, genetics and pathology at Sweden’s University of Uppsala.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
After inconclusive indirect talks during the Biden administration and Israel’s increasingly offensive regional military actions in the wake of Hamas’s brazen October 7 attacks, Iran, according to some estimates, crept to within days of being able to enrich enough uranium for a bomb.
—Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Netanyahu initially said Israel would conquer all of Gaza after indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal broke down in July.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
While earlier space research on stem cells suggested vulnerabilities in more indirect or limited ways, this study provides much clearer evidence of aging, said Elena Kozlova, a professor in the department of immunology, genetics and pathology at Sweden’s University of Uppsala.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
After inconclusive indirect talks during the Biden administration and Israel’s increasingly offensive regional military actions in the wake of Hamas’s brazen October 7 attacks, Iran, according to some estimates, crept to within days of being able to enrich enough uranium for a bomb.
—Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indirect
Adjective
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Fishers nixes plans for another Allisonville roundabout after crash spike at 96th Street circle Noblesville has dominated Indiana soccer for years.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
4 Sep. 2025
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As such, the networks aren’t on the hook for makegoods in the increasingly unlikely event of under-deliveries, which is a roundabout way of suggesting that the annual audience tallies are mostly of interest to PR types.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Kappahl offers secondhand clothing, across all categories, online in Sweden through circular software partner reCRQL, with further expansion plans on the horizon.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Sep. 2025
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As per the press release, these included small, circular protrusions or bumps, elliptical protrusions with a fingerprint-like pattern, and a third set of large, round marks.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indirect. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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