indirectly

[ in-duh-rekt-lee, -dahy- ]

/ ˌɪn dəˈrɛkt li, -daɪ- /

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See synonyms for indirectly on Thesaurus.com

adverb

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.

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.

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.

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

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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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of indirectly

indirect + -ly

OTHER WORDS FROM indirectly

sem·i-in·di·rect·ly, adverb

Words nearby indirectly

indirect initiative, indirection, indirect labor, indirect labour, indirect lighting, indirectly, indirect object, indirect primary, indirect proof, indirect question, indirect speech

How to use indirectly in a sentence

Upon a closer look, Bjerg’s journey to becoming one of the top “League of Legends” pros followed an indirect, winding path that persistently required him to battle a familiar obstacle.
The enduring and ongoing legacy of Bjergsen|Noah Smith|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
A quick-growing plant, the philodendron only needs medium indirect light and water every week or two.
Online plant sellers are having a moment. Here’s where to shop.|Lindsey Roberts|November 11, 2020|Washington Post
The Harlan County business, which is now dissolved according to the Kentucky secretary of state’s office, had planned to produce wood pellets for biomass fuel, employ up to 35 people and create about 60 indirect jobs.
The Elk, the Tourists and the Missing Coal Country Jobs|by R.G. Dunlop, Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting|October 22, 2020|ProPublica
Finally, employers also receive a variety of indirect tax incentives to automate.
It’s time to rethink the legal treatment of robots|Emily Luong|October 22, 2020|MIT Technology Review

All these methods give companies and their employees indirect ways to contribute to politicians’ campaigns and fundraising.
Red Chains, Blue Chains|Vince Dixon|October 21, 2020|Eater
But he did speak to the issue of the razzle-dazzle camera moves, at least indirectly.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Indirectly, he is pushing Rick to acknowledge that this is the only reality.
The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical Hero|Regina Lizik|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Are we helping indirectly the militants to build their caliphate?
U.S. Humanitarian Aid Going to ISIS|Jamie Dettmer|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Many people have experienced crime in this country, directly and indirectly, at some time or another,” she continued.
Will Oscar Pistorius Still Get Jail Time?|Kelly Berold|September 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last month, Sarkozy was placed under formal investigation for “active corruption” in a case linked indirectly to the Tapie Affair.
IMF Chief Lagarde Placed Under Formal Investigation in France|Tracy McNicoll|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The good which came to him, directly and indirectly, from these opportunities can hardly be overstated.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
This letter indirectly points out two long-standing radical errors in engineering phraseology.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
Nor can he sell the property to himself, nor authorize any other person to bid and purchase for him either directly or indirectly.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
His poetry is beautiful, indeed, and may indirectly even prove of some propagandistic value.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
All the powers of man, either directly or indirectly, were injured and misdirected by the fall.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham