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

Nodding to that criticism, Blizzard placed the decision to settle squarely on theater owners that ultimately supported the megamerger and are thought to be protected under annual film quotas guaranteed in the settlement. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026

Cassidy had previously threatened to withhold health care nominations if HHS continued its aggressive vaccine overhaul, but Klomp’s nomination was squarely in the hands of the finance committee, which Cassidy sits on but does not chair. — John Wilkerson, STAT, 24 Sep. 2026

New assistants, agents and editor plug-ins ship every month aimed squarely at engineers, who are bombarded with ads and news about each release. — Rob Black, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Bob Chapek, fired as Disney CEO in 2022 after less than three years, lays the blame for his ouster squarely on Bob Iger in an upcoming memoir, according to the New York Times, which obtained a copy. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Sep. 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