resolve

verb 2 Synonyms Synonym Chooser Exa

resolve 1 of 2 verb
re·solve ri-ˈzälv -ˈzȯlv, also -ˈzäv, or -
ˈzȯv

resolved; resolving
Synonyms of resolve

transitive verb

1 a : to deal with successfully : clear up

resolve doubts
resolve a dispute

b : to find an answer to
c : to make clear or understandable
d : to find a mathematical solution of
e : to split up into two or more components
especially in assigned directions
resolve a vector

2 : to reach a firm decision about

resolve to get more sleep
resolve disputed points in a text

3 a : to declare or decide by a formal resolution

and vote

b : to change by resolution or formal vote

the house resolved itself into a committee

4 a : BREAK UP, SEPARATE

the prism resolved the light into a play of
color

also : to change by disintegration

b : to reduce by analysis
resolve the problem into simple elements

c : to distinguish between or make

independently visible adjacent parts of

d : to separate (a racemic compound or

mixture) into the two components

5 : to make (something, such as one or more

voice parts or the total musical harmony)
progress from dissonance to consonance

6 : to work out the resolution of (something,

such as a play)

7 : to cause resolution of (a pathological state)

8 obsolete : DISSOLVE, MELT

intransitive verb

1 : to become separated into component parts

also : to become reduced by dissolving or

analysis

2 : to form a resolution : DETERMINE

3 : CONSULT, DELIBERATE

4 : to progress from dissonance to consonance

resolvable
ri-ˈzäl-və-bəl -ˈzȯl- also -ˈzä-və- or -ˈzȯ-və-
adjective
resolver noun

resolve 2 of 2 noun
1 : fixity of purpose : RESOLUTENESS

2 : something that is resolved

3 : a legal or official determination

especially : a formal resolution

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Synonyms

Verb
choose conclude
decide determine
figure name
opt settle (on or
upon)

Noun
decidedness decision
decisiveness determination
determinedness firmness
granite purposefulness
resoluteness resolution
stick-to-itiveness

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Choose the Right Synonym for resolve

DECIDE, DETERMINE, SETTLE, RULE, RESOLVE

mean to come or cause to come to a
conclusion.

DECIDE implies previous consideration of a

matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or
controversy.

she decided to sell her house

DETERMINE implies fixing the identity,

character, scope, or direction of something.

determined the cause of the problem

SETTLE implies a decision reached by someone

with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.

the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol

policy

RULE implies a determination by judicial or

administrative authority.

the judge ruled that the evidence was

inadmissible

RESOLVE implies an expressed or clear

decision or determination to do or refrain
from doing something.

he resolved to quit smoking

Example Sentences

Verb

The brothers finally resolved their conflict.

The issue of the book's authorship was never

resolved.

His speech did nothing to resolve doubts about

the company's future.

See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb
From a Western business perspective, a central
problem that needs to be resolved is that China
is seen as an increasingly hostile environment
by foreign investors, who are wary of becoming
caught up in Xi’s sweeping but vague anti-
espionage laws.
Alexander Smith, NBC News, 31 Aug. 2023

The incident happened in June at the Haulover

Marina in Miami Beach and was resolved in July,
according to attorneys for Hill and the worker.
Chantz Martin, Fox News, 31 Aug. 2023

See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from
various online sources to illustrate current usage of the
word 'resolve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples
do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its
editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb
Middle English, from Latin resolvere to unloose,
dissolve, from re- + solvere to loosen, release
— more at SOLVE

First Known Use

Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at
transitive sense 8

Noun
1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of resolve was in the 14th

century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing resolve

resolve/settle
differences

Dictionary Entries Near resolve

resolvancy
resolve
resolvedly

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style MLA

“Resolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary,

Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-w
ebster.com/dictionary/resolve. Accessed 9
Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition

resolve 1 of 2 verb
re·solve ri-ˈzälv -ˈzȯlv

resolved; resolving
1 : to break up or separate into individual
parts

2 a : to clear up : DISPEL
resolve doubts

b : to find an answer or solution to

3 : to reach a decision about : DECIDE

resolve to study harder

4 : to declare or decide by a formal resolution

and vote

resolvable -ˈzäl-və-bəl -ˈzȯl- adjective

resolver noun

resolve 2 of 2 noun
1 : something resolved : RESOLUTION

2 : firmness of purpose

Medical Definition

resolve verb
re·solve ri-ˈzälv, -ˈzȯlv also -ˈzäv or -ˈzȯv

resolved; resolving
transitive verb

1 : to separate (a racemic compound or

mixture) into the two components

2 : to cause resolution of (as inflammation)

3 : to distinguish between or make

independently visible adjacent parts of

intransitive verb

1 : to become separated into component

parts

also : to become reduced by dissolving or

analysis

2 : to undergo resolution used especially of

disease or inflammation

resolvable
-ˈzäl-və-bəl, -ˈzȯl- also -ˈzäv-ə- or -ˈzȯv-ə-
adjective

Legal Definition

resolve 1 of 2 verb
re·solve ri-ˈzälv

resolved; resolving
transitive verb

1 : to deal with successfully : clear up

resolve a dispute

2 a : to declare or decide by formal resolution

and vote

b : to change by resolution or formal vote

the house resolved itself into a committee

intransitive verb

: to form a resolution

resolve 2 of 2 noun
1 : something that is resolved

2 : a legal or official determination

especially : a legislative declaration

More from Merriam-Webster on

resolve

Nglish: Translation of resolve for Spanish

Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of resolve for
Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: 3 Sep 2023 - Updated example

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