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

• semi-indirectly adverb

Etymology

Origin of indirectly

indirect ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Banks may be indirectly exposed to private-credit losses through their relationships with LPs.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Iran's approach has also imposed limitations, especially in its insistence that the negotiations mainly be conducted indirectly, through Oman, their trusted mediator.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

American data centers used 17 billion gallons of water for cooling in 2023 and another 211 billion gallons indirectly through electricity generation, which applies to any buildings using electricity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

He indirectly owned 32,010 shares through an investment entity and an additional 726,542 shares through an annuity trust.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Looking at them indirectly, I could almost mistake their forms as human.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros