square one

noun

Definition of square onenext
as in day one

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 Thousands of lives were lost to arrive back to square one. — Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 15 June 2026 The White House offered a list of concessions, but not the more ambitious ones Democrats sought, and Republicans found themselves back at square one. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 5 June 2026 And that’s a hopeful timeline, given the hurdles of demining, returning confidence to captains and insurers, and bringing in a legion of empty tankers to stock up — and the risk that one errant drone could reset the whole process to square one. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 2 June 2026 When space is particularly limited, a circular fire pit can help fit more seating than a square one. — Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for square one
Recent Examples of Synonyms for square one
  1. day one
  2. drawing board
  3. ground zero
  4. beginning
  5. first base
Noun
  • And as the district projected, enrollment at charter schools was also down to start the year, from 86,913 last year to 85,473 on day one of this school year.
    — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Private personal training One-on-one coaching built around your goals, from day one through day sixty.
    — Sponsored content, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of day one
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
Definition of drawing board
Noun
  • Florida is ground zero for climate change, but politicians and the news media ignore the facts.
    — Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Kathe Conlon, who is advocating for better 9/11 memorial care, helped search for victims on ground zero nearly 25 years ago.
    — Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of ground zero
Noun
  • That kind of visceral reaction has been baked into Paranormal Activity from the beginning.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The beginning of the advertisement focuses on Miestowski reaching for the driver in a golf bag.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of beginning
Noun
  • Before Monday, Eldridge had played first base in each of the Giants’ last 11 games, committing just one error and collecting nine assists.
    — Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The nimble Randolph also plays first base for Simeon in baseball.
    — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of first base

Browse Nearby Words

square (off)
square one
square ones
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All