square one

Definition of square onenext

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of square one Instead, the Mets are back to square one, pondering a new kind of disappointment. Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025 That’s if Subramanian doesn’t toss the whole thing or send it back to square one, an unlikely possibility but still a possibility. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025 Online appointments with a provider who has to start from square one might end up costing you more, both in emergency department costs if you get sent for further testing and in fees associated with the platform. Mara Gordon, NPR, 16 Sep. 2025 Because the construction documents were included with the purchase of the land and building permits had in fact already been granted by the city based on that initial scheme, the new owners were understandably reluctant to start over again from square one. Kyle Hoepner, Architectural Digest, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for square one
Recent Examples of Synonyms for square one
Noun
  • Big names like Washington’s Bobby Wagner, New Orleans’ Demario Davis, Green Bay’s Quay Walker and Cleveland’s Devin Bush are durable, effective leaders in the middle who would provide day one efficiency.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Now, that’s evolved into Xbox putting nearly all of its first-party games on rival systems like Switch and especially PlayStation, either on day one or after an unknown amount of time.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Compare that to the F-35 Lightning II, which took over 13 years to go from drawing board to first flight.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Dec. 2025
  • After trying all three, stick with the one that worked best for you (or go back to drawing board).
    Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Indeed, unless there is some inexplicable policy goal to get Americans to buy ladders, hammers, toilet seats, piles of bricks, washers, dryers, and garage doors online instead of at neighborhood stores, there is no reason why retailers need to become ground zero.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
  • My doctor failed to warn me how this simple test placed me at ground zero of a medical firestorm.
    Howard Wolinsky, STAT, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • That’s been around since the beginning of time.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Banfield's at-times tense testimony comes after his attorney scrutinized the county's investigation into the defendant, arguing that officials, almost since the beginning, forced a theory that the husband had catfished and killed his wife, and ignored evidence that undermined that conclusion.
    OLIVIA DIAZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The slugger will play first base.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
  • His ability to play third and first base also gives them important depth.
    Jim Bowden, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Square one.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/square%20one. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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