1. indirect

having intervening factors or persons or influences

Example Sentences:
'reflection from the ceiling provided a soft indirect light'
'indirect evidence'
'an indirect cause'

2. indirect

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

Example Sentences:
'sometimes taking an indirect path saves time'
'you must take an indirect course in sailing'

• askance
• askant
• asquint
• sidelong
• squint
• squint-eyed
• squinty
• circuitous
• devious
• roundabout
• diversionary
• meandering
• rambling
• wandering
• winding

3. collateral, indirect

descended from a common ancestor but through different lines

Example Sentences:
'cousins are collateral relatives'
'an indirect descendant of the Stuarts'

• collateral

4. indirect

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

Example Sentences:
'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'

• allusive
• ambagious
• circumlocutious
• circumlocutory
• periphrastic
• backhanded
• circuitous
• roundabout
• devious
• oblique
• digressive
• discursive
• excursive
• rambling
• hearsay
• mealy-mouthed
• mealymouthed
• tortuous

5. indirect

not as a direct effect or consequence

Example Sentences:
'indirect benefits'
'an indirect advantage'