indirect

[ in-duh-rekt, -dahy- ]

adjective

1. not in a direct course or path; deviating from a straight line; roundabout:

   an indirect course in sailing.

2. coming or resulting otherwise than directly or immediately, as effects or consequences:

   an indirect advantage.

   Synonyms: secondary, unintentional, incidental

3. not direct in action or procedure:

   His methods are indirect but not dishonest.

4. not straightforward; devious; deceitful:

   He is known as a shady, indirect fellow.

5. not direct in bearing, application, force, etc.:

   indirect evidence.

6. Grammar. of, relating to, or characteristic of indirect discourse:

   an indirect quote.

7. not descending in a direct line of succession, as a title or inheritance.

indirect

/ ˌɪndɪˈrɛkt /

adjective

1. deviating from a direct course or line; roundabout; circuitous
2. not coming as a direct effect or consequence; secondary

   indirect benefits

3. not straightforward, open, or fair; devious or evasive

   an indirect insult

4. (of a title or an inheritance) not inherited in an unbroken line of succession from father to son

Derived Forms

• ˌindiˈrectness, noun
• ˌindiˈrectly, adverb

Other Words From

• in·di·rect·ly adverb
• in·di·rect·ness noun
• sem·i-in·di·rect adjective
• sem·i-in·di·rect·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of indirect¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; a Middle English word from the Medieval Latin word indīrēctus; in- ³, direct

Example Sentences

In a retirement speech in September 2023, Milley — who worries about being recalled to active duty and court-martialed under a new Trump administration, according to Woodward’s latest book, “War” — offered an indirect commentary widely presumed to refer to the former president: “We don’t take an oath to a king or a queen, to a tyrant or dictator, or wannabe dictator.”

From Los Angeles Times

NPR says that only about 10% of its annual budget of about $291 million comes from direct and indirect support from federal, state and local governments.

From Los Angeles Times

"A president has influence over both fiscal policy and monetary policy, but the influence is indirect," said Michael Walden, a Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus at North Carolina State University.

From Salon

But perhaps the most important thing that the court did in relation to the 2024 elections came two Supreme Court terms ago and was more indirect.

From Slate

"A president has influence over both fiscal policy and monetary policy, but the influence is indirect," said Walden.

From Salon

Related Words

• ambiguous
• ancillary
• circuitous
• implied
• incidental
• oblique
• tortuous