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

Instead of direct pay from universities, athletes receive funds indirectly through NIL collectives, donors and sponsorship deals, which the school can broker.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Last week I learned that I too have been accused by Pangram, albeit indirectly, of publishing AI-generated content.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 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

Messages are certainly being passed from the US to Iran, but indirectly, via intermediaries like Pakistan that enjoy good relations with both governments.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Most commonly, you’d hear them referred to indirectly, in connection with an object or a chore.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro