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