B1adverbsocietylanguage
US/ˌɪn.dəˈrekt.li/
UK/ˌɪn.daɪˈrekt.li/
not in a straight or open way; through another person, thing or step
In context
Air pollution indirectly harms the economy by making workers ill.
She asked about my salary indirectly, by talking about her own.
Thousands of people are indirectly employed by the tourism industry.
Words that go with indirectly
adverb + verb
- indirectly affectThe new road will indirectly affect house prices in the area.
adverb + adjective
- indirectly relatedMany health problems are indirectly related to stress.
- indirectly responsibleThe company was found indirectly responsible for the damage.
- indirectly involvedEveryone in the team was indirectly involved in the mistake.
verb + adverb
- benefit indirectlyLocal shops benefit indirectly when a big factory opens nearby.
- refer indirectlyPoliticians often refer indirectly to problems they would rather not discuss.