indirect
adjective
1. having intervening factors or persons or influences
- reflection from the ceiling provided a soft indirect light
- indirect evidence
- an indirect cause
Similar word(s): mediate
2. not direct in spatial dimension; not leading by a straight line or course to a destination
- sometimes taking an indirect path saves time
- you must take an indirect course in sailing
Similar word(s): askance, askant, asquint, sidelong, squint, squinty, circuitous, devious, roundabout, diversionary, meandering, rambling, wandering, winding, crooked
3. descended from a common ancestor but through different lines
- an indirect descendant of the Stuarts
Similar word(s): related, collateral
4. extended senses; not direct in manner or language or behavior or action
- making indirect but legitimate inquiries
- an indirect insult
- doubtless they had some indirect purpose in mind
Similar word(s): allusive, backhanded, circuitous, roundabout, ambagious, circumlocutious, circumlocutory, periphrastic, devious, oblique, digressive, discursive, excursive, rambling, hearsay, mealymouthed, tortuous
5. not as a direct effect or consequence
- indirect benefits
- an indirect advantage
Similar word(s): secondary