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

Core Millennials — born in the late 1980s and early 1990s, squarely in the middle of their generation — graduated into the teeth of the 2008 financial crisis. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026

This sits squarely within the company’s broader premiumization strategy. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

This sprawling area of hot air will soon move eastward and spend Thursday to Saturday squarely over the Mid-Atlantic, sending temperatures toward 105 degrees there, and breaking records from Florida to Maine. — Ben Noll, Washington Post, 1 July 2026

Yet prominent Italian Jewish journalist Maurizio Molinari, who currently teaches a class on hybrid warfare at Tel Aviv’s Reichman University, points the finger squarely at Russia. — Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 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