squarely

[skwair-lee]

adverb

1. in a square shape, form, or manner.

2. directly; without evasion; in a straight or straightforward manner.

   to face a problem squarely.

3. in an honest or open manner; fairly.

4. in a clear manner; unequivocally.

   Our faith is based squarely on a commitment to the rights of all human beings.

5. firmly; so as to come into direct contact.

   The ball struck him squarely in the face.

6. in the exact place that is specified; exactly.

   The house sat squarely in the middle of the park.

squarely

/ ˈskwɛəlɪ /

adverb

1. in a direct way; straight

   he hit me squarely on the nose

2. in an honest, frank, and just manner

3. at right angles

Word History and Origins

Origin of squarely¹

First recorded in 1550–60; square + -ly

Example Sentences

The impact in Jamaica was clearer on Wednesday, after the island nation was targeted squarely by the category five monster - one of the most powerful hurricanes ever measured in the region.

Read more on BBC

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins placed the blame for the crisis squarely with Democrats, arguing that their repeated blocking of a Republican-backed funding bill to reopen the government had driven the country to "the cliff."

Read more on Barron's

Boulder County squarely raise the question at the heart of all these lawsuits: Can states regulate emissions that take place outside their borders?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But it stunned few, given how squarely it fit within the broader political moment facing the Democratic Party.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Rebecca Miller’s series “Mr. Scorsese,” which premieres on Apple TV Friday, falls squarely in the middle of these two things.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• justly 
• objectively