resolve

1 of 2

verb

re·​solve ri-ˈzälv 

-ˈzȯlv,

 also  -ˈzäv,

 or  -ˈzȯv

resolved; resolving

transitive verb

1

a

: to deal with successfully : clear up

resolve doubts

amicably resolve the dispute

They haven't been able to resolve their differences.

… work through what could have been done … to resolve any lingering issues.

—Amy Morin

b

: to find an answer to

resolve the problem

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

After watching her father put up with allergy shots for 20 years, Ann Bergeron resolved to treat her own allergies another way.

—Corinna Wu

3

a

: to declare or decide by a formal resolution and vote

The House of Representatives resolved Monday to send the issue of daylight saving time to a summer study committee.

—South Bend (Indiana) Tribune

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

use a telescope to resolve a galaxy into its stars and nebulas

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 dramatic or literary work)

The way the plot is set up, there's no way to resolve it, and they don't—they just sort of bug-off.

—Pauline Kael

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

: to undergo resolution

—used especially of a disease or inflammation

Some may resolve on their own, while others may require treatment.

—Carrie Madormo

4

: consult, deliberate

5

: 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

unshakeable resolve

newfound resolve

… even though we can't do anything to stop a hurricane, with resolve and collective action we can greatly mitigate its destructive impact.

—Arianna Huffington

2

: something that is resolved

3

: a legal or official determination

especially : a formal resolution

Synonyms of resolve

Verb

• decide
• choose
• figure
• opt
• determine
• find
• settle (on or upon)

Noun

• determination
• decision
• decisiveness
• resolution
• persistence

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

Examples of resolve in a Sentence

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.

They haven't been able to resolve their differences.

She resolved to quit smoking.

He resolved that he would start dating again.

The committee resolved to override the veto.

Noun

His comments were intended to weaken her resolve but they only served to strengthen it.

a naval pilot who has been unwavering in his resolve to become an astronaut

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The jury ultimately resolved the case in the Kardashians’ favor and did not award damages to Chyna. —Sarah Jones, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025

Current computer simulations are not meant to resolve these smaller events. —JSTOR Daily, 24 Oct. 2025

Noun

Oebanda-Pacis shares her resolve. —Natalia Paradies, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025

And what better way to exercise my resolve than facing the bird that everyone seems to care so much about this time of year. —Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025

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

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing resolve

• resolve/settle differences

Rhymes for resolve

• absolve
• devolve
• dissolve
• evolve
• involve
• revolve
• solve

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