Indirectness

usgb/ˌɪndəˈrektnəs/
noun

The quality of not being direct or straightforward.

His indirectness often confuses people because he doesn't clearly say what he means.
Visual representation of "indirectness" - The quality of not being direct or straightforward

Often appears as...

  • habitual indirectness
  • usual indirectness
Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "indirectness"
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Social Caution

People might use indirectness to avoid being too blunt, which can seem polite in some cultures.

Illustration for Social Caution
Jane showed indirectness by saying, 'That’s an interesting idea,' instead of directly rejecting the proposal.
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Cultural Variations

Some cultures rely on indirectness more than others to convey messages. Be aware of these differences.

Illustration for Cultural Variations
In many Eastern cultures, indirectness is common to show respect.
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Non-Verbal Clues

Body language and tone of voice can provide clues to understand someone's indirectness.

Illustration for Non-Verbal Clues
His smile and indirectness suggested he was joking, 'Maybe I'll run for president someday.'
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Compare with

ambiguitycircumlocutionevasionimplicationinferenceinsinuatesubtletyvague
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Visual representation of the word "Indirectness"

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