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For example, someone had said something to me, obviously meaning something but then right after said that they weren't talking about that but then preceded to indirectly reference it, hint at it or beat around the bush. Basically saying it without saying it.

Is there a term for that?

Edwin Ashworth
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Kristina Balija
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    In the New York area, we call that BS. That is, we call that BS "Subtle as a Mack truck." – Yosef Baskin Sep 02 '21 at 11:56
  • The other thread contains many partial synonyms, such as doublespeak (Deliberately euphemistic, ambiguous, or obscure language [Lexico] ), disingenuous, and dissembling. Possibly duplistic. – Edwin Ashworth Sep 02 '21 at 13:14

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A needler would delight in beating around the bush.

needler

A person who goads, irritates, or torments others, esp. with the intention of provoking a reaction. OED

Your objective is to force the Needler to come out of hiding and be open with the criticism. Get right to the point and needle the Needler. A. C. Hakim and M. Solomon; Working with Difficult People

DjinTonic
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