indirect
adjective
in·di·rect
ˌin-də-ˈrekt 
-(ˌ)dī-
: not direct: such as
a(1)
: deviating from a direct line or course : roundabout
(2)
: not going straight to the point
an indirect accusation
(3)
: being or involving proof of a proposition or theorem by demonstration that its negation leads to an absurdity or contradiction
b
: not straightforward and open : deceitful
c
: not directly aimed at or achieved
indirect consequences
d
: stating what a real or supposed original speaker said with changes in wording that conform the statement grammatically to the sentence in which it is included
indirect discourse
an indirect question
e
: not effected by the action of the people or the electorate
indirect government representation
Examples of indirect in a Sentence
We took an indirect route.
These plants grow best in bright indirect light.
He gave only vague, indirect answers to our questions.
They used indirect methods of investigation.
There were many indirect references to his earlier books.
Looking at her watch was her indirect way of telling him it was time to leave.
Poor nutrition may have been an indirect cause of the disease.
The cigarette stubs were indirect evidence that someone had been smoking in the room.
“He said that he would call later,” is an example of indirect speech since his actual words were “I'll call later.”
an indirect question such as “She asked whether the doctor had arrived”
Recent Examples on the Web
In the absence of a tax increase of some kind, direct or indirect reductions in the programs that progressives and their legislative allies cherish would seem to be inevitable.
—
Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
Barrel Grills These grills feature a large body, usually with sections for direct and indirect heat.
—Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
As opposed to the modern-day access to information mentioned above, some of these direct and indirect impacts are timeless.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 Mar. 2024
Several companies with direct or indirect connections to FTX — including BlockFi, Voyager, Celsius, Genesis, and Gemini — went bankrupt in a matter of weeks.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024
That’s different from the measurement of the total cooking space, which usually includes a second rack (sometimes called a warming rack) that can be used for toasting, warming, and cooking foods that require lower or indirect heat.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 28 Mar. 2024
The involved staff members were also immediately placed on administrative leave, preventing them from having any direct or indirect contact with students or staff.
—Fox 19 Digital Staff, The Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2024
Several others have offered training and other indirect military assistance.
—Henrik Pettersson, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
The talks would mark the first time both Israeli officials and Hamas leaders joined the indirect negotiations since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
—Samy Magdy, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Mar. 2024
Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
Barrel Grills These grills feature a large body, usually with sections for direct and indirect heat.
—Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
As opposed to the modern-day access to information mentioned above, some of these direct and indirect impacts are timeless.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 Mar. 2024
Several companies with direct or indirect connections to FTX — including BlockFi, Voyager, Celsius, Genesis, and Gemini — went bankrupt in a matter of weeks.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024
That’s different from the measurement of the total cooking space, which usually includes a second rack (sometimes called a warming rack) that can be used for toasting, warming, and cooking foods that require lower or indirect heat.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 28 Mar. 2024
The involved staff members were also immediately placed on administrative leave, preventing them from having any direct or indirect contact with students or staff.
—Fox 19 Digital Staff, The Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2024
Several others have offered training and other indirect military assistance.
—Henrik Pettersson, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
The talks would mark the first time both Israeli officials and Hamas leaders joined the indirect negotiations since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
—Samy Magdy, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indirect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near indirect
Cite this Entry
“Indirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indirect. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indirect
adjective
in·di·rect
ˌin-də-ˈrekt
-dī-
1
: not straight or direct
an indirect route
2
: not straightforward
indirect methods
an indirect answer
3
: not having a plainly seen connection
an indirect cause
4
: stating what an original speaker said with changes in wording that make the statement fit grammatically with the rest of the sentence
"that he would call" in "He said that he would call" is in indirect discourse
indirectly
adverb
Medical Definition
indirect
adjective
in·di·rect
ˌin-də-ˈrekt, -dī-
1
: not direct: as
a
: not resulting directly from an action or cause (as a disease)
indirect effects of malaria
b
: involving intermediate or intervening parts or pathways
stimulation of one eye elicits narrowing of the pupil of the other eye by an indirect reaction
indirect attachment of a muscle through tendons
2
: involving or being immunofluorescence in which antibodies of two kinds are used of which the first combine with a specific protein and the second contain a fluorescent label and combine with the antibodies of the first type
indirectly
adverb
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