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

But, he also believes “the theory is being stretched thin here,” given that Musk donated the funds indirectly and two states’ attorneys general have signed off on the restructuring he is challenging.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

"It's also important to understand how these changes are affecting salmon indirectly through their predators, prey and pathogens."

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2026

One example is Iran's huge car manufacturing sector, which is estimated to directly or indirectly employ one million people, with multiple reports of layoffs across its supply chain.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

By 2005, the share of directly owned stocks was down to 32%, according to Bogle, with institutional investors controlling the rest indirectly through mutual funds and pension plans.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

An obvious possible answer is that they were killed off or else eliminated indirectly by the first arriving humans.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond