indirect

[in-duh-rekt, -dahy-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR indirect ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not in a direct course or path; deviating from a straight line; roundabout: an indirect course in sailing.

coming or resulting otherwise than directly or immediately, as effects or consequences: an indirect advantage.

not direct in action or procedure: His methods are indirect but not dishonest.

not straightforward; devious; deceitful: He is known as a shady, indirect fellow.

not direct in bearing, application, force, etc.: indirect evidence.

of, relating to, or characteristic of indirect discourse: an indirect quote.

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

Nearby words

Origin of indirect

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

SYNONYMS FOR indirect

2. incidental, unintentional, secondary.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR indirect ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

in·di·rect·ly, adverbin·di·rect·ness, nounsem·i-in·di·rect, adjectivesem·i-in·di·rect·ly, adverb

sem·i-in·di·rect·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for indirect

Living with the threat of random death raining down leads to a strange way of life, a pathology of indirect fire.
Dodging Rockets in Afghanistan as the Taliban’s Fighting Season Begins|Nick Willard|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, officials are musing about indirect sources of supply, by and through third countries.
CIA Director’s Trip to Kiev Was a Warning to Putin|Leslie H. Gelb|April 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And the new channels tend to be underground, indirect, and unaccountable.
The Answer to the McCutcheon Decision Is More Big Money in Politics|Jonathan Rauch|April 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Saudis don't want an open break with Washington, so their critique is indirect.
Saudi Arabia Blames America for the Turmoil in Egypt|Bruce Riedel|August 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Police arrested Brooks under a little-known Nevada law that prohibits threats, direct or indirect, against a public officer.
The Assemblyman Has a Gun: The Steven Brooks Saga|Jon Ralston|January 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After attaching the petiole to the recording lever, indirect stimulus is applied, generally speaking, at a distance of 15 mm.
Life Movements in Plants|Sir Jagadis Chunder Bose
This indirect influence of stockwatering toward excessive rates and prices becomes effective in two ways.
Distributive Justice|John A. (John Augustine) Ryan
Give an example from your own experience of a case in which it is hard to distinguish between direct and indirect evidence.
The Making of Arguments|J. H. Gardiner
Those who have studied Latin will find the “indirect discourse” of Cicero a useful model.
Threads of Grey and Gold|Myrtle Reed
Nevertheless, I ventured to approach the subject in an indirect manner.
The Mystery of 31 New Inn|R. Austin Freeman

British Dictionary definitions for indirect

indirect

adjective

deviating from a direct course or line; roundabout; circuitous

not coming as a direct effect or consequence; secondaryindirect benefits

not straightforward, open, or fair; devious or evasivean indirect insult

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

Derived Formsindirectly, adverbindirectness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for indirect

indirect

adj.

late 14c., from Middle French indirect (14c.) or directly from Late Latin indirectus, from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + directus (see direct). Related: Indirectness.

indirect

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of indirect

Examples from the Web for indirect

indirect

adjective

indirect