Relating to or along a tangent; touching lightly or diverting from a main subject. It often implies a lack of direct connection or relevance. Things described as Tangential may be only slightly connected to the central topic, or may move in a direction that deviates from the primary focus. The term can be used to describe a discussion, an idea, a relationship, or a line of thought.
Tangential meaning with examples
- During the meeting, the speaker made a Tangential remark about his weekend plans, which had nothing to do with the project's progress.
- The professor's lecture occasionally took Tangential detours into historical anecdotes, though they did provide context.
- Her initial response to the question was a Tangential answer, failing to directly address the core issue at hand.
- Their conversation drifted along Tangential paths, touching on various subjects before eventually circling back.
- The politician's speech made Tangential references to the economy without offering specific solutions to current problems.
Tangential Synonyms
aside digressive divergent extraneous incidental irrelevant peripheralTangential Antonyms
central crucial direct essential germane pertinent relevantTangential Crossword Answers
10 Letters
DIGRESSIVE