indirectness Definition
the quality of not saying something in a clear or direct way, often in order to avoid causing offense or to suggest something without saying it directly.
Using indirectness: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "indirectness" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Her indirectness made it difficult for me to understand what she really meant.
Example
The politician's speech was full of indirectness and vague statements.
Example
I appreciate your honesty and directness, please don't resort to indirectness.
indirectness Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for indirectness
- circumlocution
- evasion
- equivocation
- hinting
- implied meaning
Antonyms for indirectness
Phrases with indirectness
Example
Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think.
to understand the hidden or implied meaning in something that is said or written
Example
I had to read between the lines to understand what he really meant.
to make something seem less unpleasant than it really is
Example
Don't sugarcoat the truth, I can handle it.
Summary: indirectness in Brief
Indirectness [ˌɪndəˈrɛktnəs] refers to the quality of not saying something in a clear or direct way. It is often used to avoid causing offense or to suggest something without saying it directly. Synonyms include circumlocution, evasion, equivocation, hinting, and implied meaning. Examples of indirectness include 'Her indirectness made it difficult for me to understand what she really meant.' and 'The politician's speech was full of indirectness and vague statements.'
