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.
He then shifted the blame squarely onto Zhykovych.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
A midday local kickoff would put the game squarely in the hottest, smoggiest part of the day in a move that England fears would only enhance Mexico’s home-field advantage.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026
What happens next may hit everyone who dreams of saddling a dragon squarely in the chest.
From Salon ● Jun. 24, 2026
Not by putting anyone on blast and not by outing anyone’s struggles, but by keeping the burden of truth squarely on my shoulders.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026
His black homburg was brushed and squarely set on his head.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
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.
