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squarely

squarely

55 3.7
In a direct and firm way without avoiding the issue
  • adverb
  • /ˈskwɛrli/
translation icon : directamente
  • He addressed the issue squarely, without trying to avoid any difficult questions.
  • address the issue squarely
  • blame squarely
  • face squarely

So Bitcoin falls squarely into that worldview, right?

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Examples

  • I have always stood squarely for racial harmony.

  • All the evidence, including his confession, pointed squarely to him as the killer.

    Academic text (1995)
  • But while some aspects of the crisis were made in Washington, I think this one really falls more squarely on Wall Street.

  • But blame lies fairly and squarely with City Hall.

  • The time has come to put social revolution squarely back on the agenda where it belongs.

  • It was also clear which families were struggling a bit, but most of us were squarely in the middle.

  • We believe that the responsibility for destiny rests squarely on our own shoulders.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • They had no plan in place, which again, that's squarely on them.

  • So with those price points, it appears that Samsung is squarely targeting the Xiaomi type companies.

  • Grassroots action aimed squarely at soliciting donations.

Synonyms

clearly
vssquarely
1.0

In a way that leaves no doubt

is firmer and more confrontational than mere obvious expression
explicitly
vssquarely
146 3.9

A person uses clear, direct words so there is no doubt

is firmer and more forceful than just making details clear
directly
vssquarely
88 1.4

In a clear honest way, saying what you think

carries stronger firmness and purpose than mere openness
plainly
vssquarely
68 1.8

In a clear and obvious way that is easy to understand

is firmer and more confrontational rather than only obviousness
decidedly
vssquarely
56 3.9

In a clear way that leaves no doubt

leans on directness and firmness more than pure certainty
flatly
vssquarely
45 4.6

In a firm way that shows no doubt

is direct and firm but less necessarily harsh in tone
bluntly
vssquarely
40 4.6

In a direct way that is not polite

is direct too but usually less rude or uncaring in tone
emphatically
vssquarely
38 5.5

In a strong, definite way that shows no doubt

is direct and firm but not always expressed with strong force
unequivocally
vssquarely
  • Formal
37 6.9

In a clear way that leaves no doubt

shows firmer resolve and directness, not only doubt removal
outright
vssquarely
36 4.3

Directly and openly, without hiding or delay

carries stronger firmness and blunt force beyond complete openness
categorically
vssquarely
35 6.5

In a clear, certain way without any doubt

is about direct manner rather than total denial or absoluteness
decisively
vssquarely
29 3.7

In a firm way that ends doubt and settles the matter

focuses more on steady directness than on final settlement
patently
vssquarely
25 5.6

Clearly easy to see or understand

is about direct firm expression rather than sheer obviousness
flat out
vssquarely
  • Informal
21 7.0

To say something plainly without hiding feelings

is usually more restrained and firm rather than fully blunt
16 4.2

In a very clear, direct way that leaves no doubt

uses stronger firmness and force beyond mere clarity
unmistakably
vssquarely
13 4.1

In a very clear way that people cannot mistake

is firmly direct in delivery rather than focusing on clarity alone
manifestly
vssquarely
  • Formal
9 5.6

In a way that is very clear to everyone

is direct and firm rather than focusing on mere obviousness
point blank
vssquarely
  • Informal
9 5.0

In a very direct way without trying to hide anything

is direct but generally less abrupt or harsh in tone
unambiguously
vssquarely
9 5.5

Clearly so people understand it in only one way

adds firmness and directness beyond single interpretation
forthrightly
vssquarely
7 6.7

In a direct and honest way without hiding anything

is firmer and more forceful rather than only honest
straightforwardly
vssquarely
5 3.9

In a clear, honest way without hiding anything

is firmer and more forceful rather than simply uncomplicated
straight-out
vssquarely
4 6.1

Completely direct with no doubt or excuse

is firmer and more forceful than mere absence of reservations
baldly
vssquarely
3 7.2

In a plain, direct way that does not make bad news seem softer

is direct and firm but may avoid harshness in delivery
outrightly
vssquarely
6.0

In a complete and direct way, without any doubt

is firmer and more purposefully direct than mere completeness
unartfully
vssquarely
7.2

In a simple, honest way without trying to impress

is firmer and more purposeful rather than merely simple
pellucidly
vssquarely
  • Formal
8.7

In a clear, simple way that people can understand

is firmer and more direct rather than only clear explanation

Antonyms

78 4.2

In a way that does not say something clearly, often by a hint or through someone else

3 6.7

In a way that can have more than one meaning

1 6.4

In a way that avoids giving a direct answer or admitting the truth

How Direct

bluntly
40 4.6
squarely
55 3.7
directly
1.9
obliquely
5 6.9
indirectly
78 4.2

Surface Forms

squarely positive

Morphology

squarely = square (semi-transparent) = square + ly

Formed by adding the productive adverbial suffix '-ly' to 'square'; the sense 'directly, without evasion' is a metaphorical extension of 'square' (honest/direct) and so not fully literal for all learners.

Etymology

Squarely comes from square, the shape with four equal sides, and square was also used to mean 'straight' or 'fair'. So to act squarely is to do something 'directly' and without avoiding it.