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.

However, it may be the indirect consequences of higher oil prices that hit the U.S. economy the hardest.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

The industry at Morbi provides direct and indirect employment to nearly a million people, according to government statistics.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

However, those conclusions were based on instruments located far from the fault zone, meaning the observations were indirect.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

ABP expects the project to support thousands of direct and indirect jobs once construction begins, with the company estimating it could unlock more than £500m in associated investment.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

They were involute, introvert, indirect; they did not like questions and answers.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

indirect

Example Sentences

Related Words