indirect

[in-duh-rekt, -dahy-] / ˌɪn dəˈrɛkt, -daɪ- /

ADJECTIVE

roundabout; unintended

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ambiguous ancillary circuitous implied incidental oblique tortuous

STRONG

collateral

WEAK

circular circumlocutory complicated contingent crooked devious discursive duplicitous erratic eventual long long way home long-drawn-out long-winded meandering obscure out-of-the-way periphrastic rambling secondary serpentine sidelong sinister sinuous snaking sneaking sneaky subsidiary twisting underhand vagrant wandering winding zigzag

Antonyms

STRONGEST

direct straight straightforward

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This kind of indirect observation is not new.

From Science Daily • May 26, 2026

One way to assess inflation shocks is to separate direct effects, indirect effects, second-round effects and the impact on real incomes.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

The Singapore systems integrator faces some indirect risks stemming from the Middle East conflict, such as higher input costs, they say.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

There are also indirect effects as insurers drop customers in hurricane-prone areas or withdraw from states.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

However, his no-compromise policy on racial slights of any sort would have a direct and indirect influence on the civil rights actions of the 1950s and 1960s.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Vocabulary lists containing indirect

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

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Geography and World Regions

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Workshop 2, Part 2

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