tangentially

[ tan-jen-shuh-lee ]

adverb

1. in a way that barely touches or involves someone or something:

   The subject’s tempestuous first marriage is only tangentially dealt with in the biography.

2. in a way that is only slightly related or relevant:

   The novel dedicates a huge amount of space to characters and events that are, at most, tangentially connected to the main plot.

3. in a divergent or digressive way:

   Whether or not this is easier, as I have tangentially mentioned, is in fact a difficult question.

Other Words From

• non·tan·gen·tial·ly adverb
• un·tan·gen·tial·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tangentially¹

tangential ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

“The wild card in all of this is: Will there be national issues that are tangentially related that will bleed into the race?” asked Michael Ford, a University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh professor.

From Seattle Times

Besides the fact that the meeting was a setting where so many parts of me could show up for comic examination, there was a tangentially geopolitical aspect to it.

From Los Angeles Times

He's involved tangentially in the America First movement.

From Salon

It seems as if nearly every person tangentially connected to the Simpson trial put out a book about it at some point.

From Seattle Times

“The Constitution remains absolutely central to all the things that we teach, whether it’s expressly or it’s tangentially connected in the courses,” said Brig.

From Seattle Times