Synonyms of indirect

indirect

adjective

ˌin-də-ˈrekt 

as in roundabout

not straightforward or direct

the cab driver took a very indirect route to the hotel

a long-winded, indirect answer to a very simple question

Synonyms & Similar Words

• roundabout
• circular
• misleading
• winding
• circuitous
• twisting
• subtle
• tortuous
• serpentine
• sinuous
• deceptive
• insidious
• rambling
• duplicitous
• crooked
• dishonest
• wandering
• verbose
• calculating
• circumlocutory
• sneaky
• cunning
• prolix
• underhanded
• deceitful
• crafty
• underhand
• curvy
• meandering
• tricky
• long-winded
• devious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• direct
• straight
• straightforward
• open
• plain
• honest
• frank
• candid
• forthright
• undisguised
• unconcealed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of indirect

The sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi have an indirect stake of nearly 50% in Ellison’s $111 billion bid for WBD. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

The indirect talks come as the conflict, which is entering its eighth month, has caused global economic damage and badly battered Iran. — Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

Partner ecosystems get treated as a revenue engine and measured like one; Forrester found that 67% of B2B partner ecosystem and channel decision-makers expected their indirect revenue to grow faster in 2025 than the year before. — Omer Qureshi, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

The plaintiffs argued that the arrangement made the organization an indirect recipient of federal funding. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026