indirectly

American  

[in-duh-rekt-lee, -dahy-] / ˌɪn dəˈrɛkt li, -daɪ- /

adverb

1. in a roundabout way; not by the shortest or straightest path.

   Since I had time to spare I took a bus that went a bit indirectly to my destination, and saw places on the way that I never knew existed.

2. by a connection that is not immediate.

   We all pay into the federal tax system indirectly when we purchase goods from companies that pay taxes.

3. in a way that is veiled or not straightforward; obliquely.

   I use poetic language to speak indirectly about those things that seem to slip from our grasp as soon as we name them.

4. deviously or covertly.

   The ad comes from a group indirectly funded by the cult and calling itself by another name.

5. Grammar. as indirect discourse; not as an actual quotation.

   If I’m reporting the person’s speech indirectly, I’d speak about them in the third person—using “she,” “he,” or “they.”

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• semi-indirectly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of indirectly

indirect ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Certain types of cash-value life insurance can also play a role in indirectly reducing or even avoiding some RMDs.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

Virtually every advanced military in the world depends directly or indirectly on the country’s supply chain of rare earths.

From Salon • May 31, 2026

Many of Calingasta's 11,000 residents depend directly or indirectly on mining for a livelihood.

From Barron's • May 23, 2026

Under US law, the president, vice-president and most other high-ranking members of the executive branch cannot directly or indirectly ask the IRS to terminate an investigation.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

And it was all done so indirectly, so craftily, like a burglar who left no fingerprints.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis