obliquely.

1. In an indirect or slantwise manner of expression rather than by stating the matter plainly.

2. At a slanting angle rather than straight on or at a right angle to the relevant surface or direction.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• obliquely suggest
• refer obliquely

On the page

The character referred obliquely to the debt without naming its amount.

The final image obliquely suggested a conflict that the dialogue had avoided.

Usage notes

Primary category: literary / elevated general. Forms: Invariable adverb; use more or most only where natural. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: description, narrative analysis, characterization, contrast. Disciplines: literary analysis, prose writing, advanced general English. Commonness: moderately common.