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
Putin’s assimilation of Dugin’s thinking is likely indirect, maybe even unconscious.
—
James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
The United States could also promise to provide Ukraine with indirect support if it were attacked again, along the lines of U.S. support for the past three years except with no restrictions on Ukrainian use of U.S. weapons.
—Thomas Wright, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2025
In response, the NIH attempted to reduce its maximum indirect rate to 15%, which a federal judge blocked.
—Tim Clouser | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Feb. 2025
They were supposed to begin indirect talks over the second phase last week, including negotiating an end to the war, the release of the remaining living hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
—Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indirect
James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
The United States could also promise to provide Ukraine with indirect support if it were attacked again, along the lines of U.S. support for the past three years except with no restrictions on Ukrainian use of U.S. weapons.
—Thomas Wright, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2025
In response, the NIH attempted to reduce its maximum indirect rate to 15%, which a federal judge blocked.
—Tim Clouser | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Feb. 2025
They were supposed to begin indirect talks over the second phase last week, including negotiating an end to the war, the release of the remaining living hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
—Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 14 Feb. 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 13 Mar. 2025.
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