obliquely
Not straight on
Obliquely means at an angle rather than straight on, or indirectly rather than plainly.
A ray of light may strike a surface obliquely.
Someone who addresses a topic obliquely approaches it sideways, hinting rather than stating directly: She obliquely referenced their argument without naming it.
The word suggests evasion or subtlety—sometimes diplomatic, sometimes frustratingly indirect.
Via intermediate means
- evasivelyAvoiding direct response
- crypticallyIn hidden meaning
- ambiguouslyWith multiple possible meanings
- vaguelyIn unclear fashion
noncommittally · cagily · equivocally · furtively · inscrutably · guardedly · circumspectly · slyly
Via intermediate means
- allusivelyBy subtle reference
- implicitlyWithout direct expression
- suggestivelyIn an implying manner
- circuitouslyIn a winding manner
roundabout · veiled · covertly · subtly · euphemistically · metaphorically · insinuatingly · hintingly
indirectly
Via intermediate means
- evasivelyAvoiding direct response
- crypticallyIn hidden meaning
- ambiguouslyWith multiple possible meanings
vaguely · noncommittally · cagily · equivocally · furtively · inscrutably · guardedly · circumspectly · slyly · covertly
indirectly
Via intermediate means
- allusivelyBy subtle reference
- implicitlyWithout direct expression
- suggestivelyIn an implying manner
circuitously · roundabout · veiled · covertly · subtly · euphemistically · metaphorically · insinuatingly · hintingly · periphrastic
diagonal
Slanting line or path
aslant · inclined · canted · skewed · beveled · sloped · pitched · leaning · acute · obtuse
- directional adverbshorizontally, vertically, diagonally, laterally, longitudinally
- approximationsabout, approximately, around, roughly, almost
obliquelydirectly
Without intermediary steps
straight · perpendicularly · head-on · squarely · lengthwise
- oblique angleAngle not ninety degrees
- oblique caseNon-subject noun inflection
- oblique referenceIndirect mention of something
- oblique musclesAngled trunk musculature