Synonyms for indirect

Synonyms for (adj) indirect

Synonyms: indirect

Definition: not direct in spatial dimension; not leading by a straight line or course to a destination

Usage: sometimes taking an indirect path saves time; you must take an indirect course in sailing

Similar words: askance, askant, asquint, squint, squint-eyed, squinty, sidelong

Definition: (used especially of glances) directed to one side with or as if with doubt or suspicion or envy

Usage: her eyes with their misted askance look- Elizabeth Bowen; sidelong glances


Similar words: roundabout, devious, circuitous

Definition: deviating from a straight course

Usage: a scenic but devious route; a long and circuitous journey by train and boat; a roundabout route avoided rush-hour traffic


Similar words: diversionary

Definition: (of tactics e.g.) likely or designed to confuse or deceive


Similar words: rambling, meandering, wandering, winding

Definition: of a path e.g.

Usage: meandering streams; rambling forest paths; the river followed its wandering course; a winding country road


Synonyms: indirect

Definition: extended senses; not direct in manner or language or behavior or action

Usage: making indirect but legitimate inquiries; an indirect insult; doubtless they had some indirect purpose in mind; though his methods are indirect they are not dishonest; known as a shady indirect fellow

Similar words: allusive

Definition: characterized by indirect references

Usage: allusive speech is characterized by allusions


Similar words: backhanded

Definition: roundabout or ambiguous

Usage: attacks from that source amounted to a backhanded compliment to his integrity; a backhanded and dishonest way of reaching his goal


Similar words: circuitous, roundabout

Definition: marked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or conduct

Usage: the explanation was circuitous and puzzling; a roundabout paragraph; hear in a roundabout way that her ex-husband was marrying her best friend


Similar words: circumlocutious, circumlocutory, ambagious, periphrastic

Definition: roundabout and unnecessarily wordy

Usage: had a preference for circumlocutious (or circumlocutory) rather than forthright expression; A periphrastic study in a worn-out poetical fashion,/ Leaving one still with the intolerable wrestle/ With words and meanings.-T.S.Eliot; (`ambagious' is archaic)


Similar words: oblique, devious

Definition: indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way; misleading

Usage: used devious means to achieve success; gave oblique answers to direct questions; oblique political maneuvers


Similar words: digressive, discursive, rambling, excursive

Definition: (of e.g. speech and writing) tending to depart from the main point or cover a wide range of subjects

Usage: amusingly digressive with satirical thrusts at women's fashions among other things; a rambling discursive book; his excursive remarks; a rambling speech about this and that


Similar words: hearsay

Definition: heard through another rather than directly

Usage: hearsay information


Similar words: mealy-mouthed, mealymouthed

Definition: hesitant to state facts or opinions simply and directly as from e.g. timidity or hypocrisy

Usage: a mealymouthed politician


Similar words: tortuous

Definition: not straightforward

Usage: his tortuous reasoning


Synonyms: indirect

Definition: having intervening factors or persons or influences

Usage: reflection from the ceiling provided a soft indirect light; indirect evidence; an indirect cause

Similar words: mediate

Definition: acting through or dependent on an intervening agency

Usage: the disease spread by mediate as well as direct contact


Synonyms: indirect

Definition: not as a direct effect or consequence

Usage: indirect benefits; an indirect advantage

Similar words: secondary

Definition: being of second rank or importance or value; not direct or immediate

Usage: the stone will be hauled to a secondary crusher; a secondary source; a secondary issue; secondary streams


Visual thesaurus for indirect