squarely

[ skwair-lee ]

/ ˈskwɛər li /

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See synonyms for squarely on Thesaurus.com

adverb

in a square shape, form, or manner.

directly; without evasion; in a straight or straightforward manner: to face a problem squarely.

in an honest or open manner; fairly.

in a clear manner; unequivocally: Our faith is based squarely on a commitment to the rights of all human beings.

firmly; so as to come into direct contact: The ball struck him squarely in the face.

in the exact place that is specified; exactly: The house sat squarely in the middle of the park.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of squarely

First recorded in 1550–60; square + -ly

Words nearby squarely

square inch, square kilometer, square knot, square-law, square leg, squarely, square matrix, square meal, square measure, square meter, square mile

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use squarely in a sentence

She need not sacrifice her whole identity to her children unless that is squarely her choice.
It’s time to end the TV trope of the needy empty-nest mom|Michele Weldon|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
Crisis management is squarely in our wheelhouse as a company that handles real time escalations all day every day.
The Business of Managing a DC Business During a Coup|Lisa Wise|January 15, 2021|Washington Blade
Congress must immediately transfer command of the District of Columbia National Guard from the President of the United States and put it squarely under the command and control of the District of Columbia.
Arguments for D.C. statehood grow stronger following Capitol attack and plans for inauguration violence|Aric Jenkins|January 12, 2021|Fortune
If you keep phyllo on hand, and I do, this recipe falls squarely in cook-with-what-you-have category.
Wrap leftover roasted root vegetables in phyllo for a quick, crispy galette|Ann Maloney|January 12, 2021|Washington Post

She climbed up and had a whispered conversation with Santa, sitting squarely at the intersection where magic and reality meet.
When my daughter asked if Santa was real, my answer was yes|Vanessa McGrady|December 17, 2020|Washington Post
A worn couch sitting squarely before a wood veneer wall, accented by the head of a deer.
#Setinthestreet: Your Street Corner Is Their Art Project|James Joiner|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The winner will be the one who most squarely gets on the side of the working class.
Bush, Christie, Romney: Who’ll Be the GOP Class Warrior?|Lloyd Green|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All of their testimony has been accepted by the court, and most of it casts blame squarely on their captain.
The Costa Concordia’s Randy Reckless Captain Takes the Stand|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But one sequence in particular has divided audiences squarely in half.
Christopher Nolan Explains Interstellar’s Big, Hotly Debated Twist|Marlow Stern|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“We tried to be evenhanded, and Poitras is squarely on the side of Snowden,” Condon says.
Can Condon's Freak Show Win Broadway?|Tim Teeman|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lawrence fired, but just as he did so Jerry's horse threw up his head and the ball struck him squarely between the eyes.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
"'Scuse me," Jake said, pulling a shawl more squarely around her shoulders and straightening her up.
The Cromptons|Mary J. Holmes
The coachman gathers up his reins and shakes squarely down into his seat; the ostlers step back.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries|Charles G. Harper
He wore a gray snap-brim hat; it was set squarely on his head, precisely level.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
And so they were caught fairly and squarely by the deluge that swept upon them with a bewildering suddenness.
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle|Laura Lee Hope

British Dictionary definitions for squarely

squarely

/ (ˈskwɛəlɪ) /

adverb

in a direct way; straighthe hit me squarely on the nose

in an honest, frank, and just manner

at right angles

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

squarely

Origin of squarely

Words nearby squarely

Words related to squarely

How to use squarely in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for squarely