squarely

adverb

square·​ly ˈskwer-lē 

1

: in a straightforward or honest manner

we must squarely face the issue

2

a

: exactly, precisely

squarely in the middle

b

: so as to make solid contact

hit the ball squarely

feet squarely planted

3

: in a square form or manner : so as to be square

a squarely cut dress

4

: in a plain or unequivocal manner

The responsibility lies squarely with us.

align ourselves squarely with our allies

Synonyms of squarely

• right
• just

Examples of squarely in a Sentence

We must face these problems squarely.

It's time to deal squarely with the facts.

literature that is squarely in the American tradition

Their marketing campaign is aimed squarely at adolescents.

The dart hit the board squarely in the middle.

Look me squarely in the eye and tell me you're not lying.

He hit the ball squarely.

Her feet were squarely planted.

Recent Examples on the Web

RayNeo's Air 4 Pro slots squarely into the one-trick category, and that's a good thing. — New Atlas, 17 July 2026

Lin—known as Sequoia’s lead backer of DoorDash, Airbnb, Citadel Securities, and Reddit—said that he’s drawn to industries characterized by regulatory capture, and that Bunkerhill fits squarely in that paradigm. — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 16 July 2026

Their stories turned a tour through a city into a truly immersive experience, placing us squarely in the throes of history, with all the emotional impact that comes with hindsight and reflection. — Rebecca Deurlein, Southern Living, 16 July 2026

Adding Anthony Mantha, arguably one of the best wings available despite his frustrating tendencies, put the Devils squarely in the top five. — Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1564, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for squarely

• unfairly
• barely
• fairly
• rarely

Kids Definition

squarely

adverb

square·​ly

1

: in a plain or honest manner

we must squarely face the problem

2

a

: exactly sense 1a, precisely

squarely in the middle

b

: so as to make solid contact

hit the ball squarely

3

: in a square form or manner : so as to be square

a squarely cut dress