Definitions

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.

The order also prevented him from having any direct or indirect dealings with a number of other boats run by his company.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

My first indirect encounter with a Boy Mom happened via a Facebook post from a mother with an important message for the teen girls of social media.

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026

By buying into the fund, an ordinary investor gets indirect exposure to SpaceX's performance.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

To investigate them, scientists rely on indirect techniques that reveal clues beneath the landscape.

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

Still other pesticides will be added as we include those whose action on living tissues or cells may be considered an indirect cause of malignancy.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

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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