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.

Effective in July, the rules also ban indirect transfers of restricted technology and data through cross-border personnel deployments, training programs or technical guidance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

It also criticized investment funds that offer indirect access to its shares.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

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

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

To assess egg consumption, researchers considered both direct and indirect sources.

From Science Daily • May 7, 2026

West Computing no longer existed as a physical space, but its alumni pushed their minds and hands in the service of the space program— though in Dorothy Vaughans case, it was an indirect effort.

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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