squarely

/ˈskweəli/ (bre, ipa) · [skwˈɛrli] /ˈskwerli/ (ame, ipa) · [skwˈɛrli] /ˈskwer-lē How to pronounce squarely (audio)/ (ame, mw)

squarely — adverb

1. in a direct, firm, or unmistakable way, without turning aside or trying to avoid

1.副詞B2
釋義

in a direct, firm, or unmistakable way, without turning aside or trying to avoid the point.

例句

The punch landed squarely on Hiro's shoulder during boxing practice.

land squarely on + body part

Mira looked squarely at the reporter and denied the rumor.

look squarely at + someone

同義詞
  • directly

    the broadest near-synonym, but often less forceful than squarely

  • frankly

    close when the meaning is open speech rather than physical contact

  • firmly

    stresses strength or certainty more than facing something head-on

  • bluntly

    suggests even less softening and can sound ruder

反義詞
  • evasively

    in a way that avoids a clear answer or response

  • indirectly

    in a less direct way, often through another route or hint

文法句型

look squarely at + someone

land/hit squarely on + body part

squarely + admit/reject + clause or noun

squarely + affect + someone/something

用法筆記

Often used when someone faces a person, problem, or impact without avoiding it. Common with verbs such as look, hit, admit, reject, and affect.

常見錯誤

❌Please squarely at me when you answer.
✅Please look squarely at me when you answer.
💡squarely is an adverb, so it needs a verb such as look or answer.
❌She answered squarely to the question.
✅She answered the question squarely.
💡with answer, squarely describes the manner of answering and does not take 'to'.

2. with the weight or position kept even on both sides, so something stays straight

2.副詞C1
釋義

with the weight or position kept even on both sides, so something stays straight instead of leaning to one side.

例句

The dining table stood squarely on the old tile floor after the repair.

stand squarely on + surface

After the fall, Joon set the picture frame squarely on the shelf again.

set + object + squarely on + surface

同義詞
  • evenly

    stresses equal balance or distribution more than straight alignment

  • steadily

    close when something stays firm, but it does not always suggest equal balance

  • centrally

    focuses on being near the middle rather than on balance

反義詞
  • crookedly

    in a way that is visibly tilted or not straight

  • lopsidedly

    with more weight or height on one side than the other

文法句型

stand squarely on + surface

set/place + object + squarely on + surface

sit squarely in + seat/boat

plant + both feet + squarely

用法筆記

This sense is used for posture, balance, or the way an object stands or sits. It often appears with stand, sit, hang, place, and plant the feet.

常見錯誤

❌Put the lamp squarely to the table.
✅Put the lamp squarely on the table.
💡use a surface or position phrase after squarely, not 'to'.
❌The frame is squarely.
✅The frame hangs squarely on the wall.
💡the adverb needs a verb such as stand, hang, sit, or rest.