squarely
Americanadverb
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in a square shape, form, or manner.
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directly; without evasion; in a straight or straightforward manner.
to face a problem squarely.
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in an honest or open manner; fairly.
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in a clear manner; unequivocally.
Our faith is based squarely on a commitment to the rights of all human beings.
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firmly; so as to come into direct contact.
The ball struck him squarely in the face.
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in the exact place that is specified; exactly.
The house sat squarely in the middle of the park.
adverb
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in a direct way; straight
he hit me squarely on the nose
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in an honest, frank, and just manner
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at right angles
Etymology
Origin of squarely
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But throughout the opinion, the court made no claims as to whether the court would rule in favor of the administration once the legal issues are squarely before the court.
From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026
“Through such an admission man looks squarely at the sins he is guilty of,” reads the catechism of the Catholic Church.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
The South Scotland MSP said the party had to be bold and get "squarely on the side of the working people of this country".
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
In other words, that puts him squarely in the middle of the pack among starters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
“Please make yourself comfortable, Chaplain,” invited the colonel cordially, switching on a blinding spotlight and shooting it squarely into the chaplain’s face.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
