indirectly

B1
US /ˌɪn.dɪˈɹek(t).li/ UK /ˌɪn.dɪˈɹɛk(t).li/
adv Freq #21789

Meanings

  1. 1
    adv

    not in a forthright manner

    I answered very indirectly.

  2. 2
    adv

    In an indirect manner.

    His alcoholism had a direct effect on his health, and indirectly caused problems for others.

Etymology

From Middle English inderectely, indirectly, equivalent to indirect + -ly or in- + directly.

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Thesaurus

Synonyms
2 adv · in an indirect manner. undirectly
Opposites

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