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indirectly

indirectly

78 4.2
In a way that does not say something clearly, often by a hint or through someone else
  • adverb
  • /ˌɪndɪˈrɛktli/
translation icon : indirectamente
  • The new policy will indirectly benefit many low-income families by improving local services.
  • directly or indirectly
  • indirectly affect
  • indirectly influence

Many private individuals also indirectly use AWS.

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Examples

  • So the environmental groups in a sense are indirectly representing that interest.

  • Every feature mentioned in Table 4 is directly or indirectly related to customer service.

    Academic text (1990)
  • What you can do is do this indirectly, he says.

  • So this is like indirectly great news.

  • Not directly no, but indirectly yes.

  • What set of British laws led indirectly to the Industrial Revolution?

  • Your child's life was indirectly threatened.

  • The fact that this information had indirectly come from Bosch was puzzling.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • To try to make it clear, we don't have a problem; you have a problem, and we are trying to help you solve your problem, because we are indirectly connected to your problem.

  • That's doing indirectly what Your Honor won't permit him to do directly.

Synonyms

subtly
vsindirectly
48 5.1

In a way that is not obvious or easy to notice

applies more widely to any manner that is not straightforward
implicitly
vsindirectly
41 5.6

In a way that is understood without being directly said

uses unsaid suggestion instead of clear expression
tacitly
vsindirectly
10 7.3

In a way people understand without anyone saying it

relies on shared unspoken agreement instead of direct speech
euphemistically
vsindirectly
4 7.8

In a way that uses mild or indirect words instead of harsh ones

is more general and not limited to softening harsh topics
evasively
vsindirectly
1 6.4

In a way that avoids giving a direct answer or admitting the truth

is broader and not always used to dodge questions
impliedly
vsindirectly
1 7.9

In a way that shows something without saying it

focuses on unstated meaning rather than speaking plainly
elliptically
vsindirectly
  • Formal
1 7.8

Someone speaks in a short, indirect way that only hints at the meaning

expresses the idea but not by leaving words out
backhandedly
vsindirectly
  • Informal
1 8.9

In a way that sounds like a compliment but actually criticizes

is simply not straightforward without the insincere or opposite meaning
roundaboutly
vsindirectly
8.2

To say something without being direct

is the same in sense without extra nuance
allusively
vsindirectly
7.9

In an indirect way that hints at something

is used more generally, not only for suggestive reference
insinuatingly
vsindirectly
8.4

In a quiet, sly way that hints at something

is more general and lacks the sly or accusing tone
elusively
vsindirectly
7.2

In a way that avoids clear answers or direct information

is about not being straightforward rather than being merely hard to catch

Antonyms

88 1.4

In a clear honest way, saying what you think

How Indirect

cryptically
3 8.1
obliquely
5 6.9
indirectly
78 4.2
directly
88 1.4

Surface Forms

indirectly positive

Morphology

indirectly = indirect (transparent) = in + direct + ly

Adding '-ly' to the adjective 'indirect' gives the expected adverb meaning 'in an indirect way'.

Etymology

Indirectly is made of in- meaning 'not' and direct, a word that means 'straight' and shows up in direction. So to do something indirectly is to do it 'not straight', that is, in a roundabout or not direct way.