indirectly

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

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.”

Other Word Forms

• semi-indirectly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of indirectly¹

indirect ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Even if dark matter does not interact directly with light, it could still affect it indirectly through other particles.

Read more on Science Daily

Her relentless running, particularly in her counter-pressing, indirectly raises the level of intensity in her teams and has the tactical benefit of pushing teams back, preventing them from getting settled attacking possession.

Read more on BBC

Brian Potter’s “The Origins of Efficiency” addresses this question, if indirectly and unintentionally.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But they also used 211 billion gallons indirectly for power generation, the bank said.

Read more on Barron's

But they also used 211 billion gallons indirectly for power generation, the bank said.

Read more on Barron's