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

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

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

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

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Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Your attempt to resolve this by trying to control your children via your will seems like a superficial fix to a deep problem. —Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2023

Instead, he's launched a much more ambitious plan to try to start passing multiple funding bills once the House returns Tuesday, with just five days to resolve the standoff. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2023

The city and the attorney general’s office had 60 days to negotiate a consent decree that would mandate changes to resolve the issues, the office said. —Aya Elamroussi, CNN, 23 Sep. 2023

And how it’s resolved could go a long way to defining the future of the increasingly fragile international order put in place in the aftermath of World War II. —Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Sep. 2023

There were questionable stories and controversial angles, sure, but any differences between the athletic department and the media were resolved in private conversations that ultimately made everybody smarter. —Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023

Confirming the feeling of urgency taking hold around town to resolve the historic, ongoing writers strike, a group of top CEOs are attending Wednesday’s bargaining session between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. —Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Sep. 2023

Mild fevers typically resolve with at-home treatments, like getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated. —Leah Groth, Health, 20 Sep. 2023

The vast majority of the case was resolved by settlement after about a week and a half of trial this month, according to Lucey. —Mitchell Parton, Dallas News, 19 Sep. 2023

Noun

Still, the latest inflation report has hardened the resolve of some of the most pessimistic economic forecasters. —Bywill Daniel, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2023

Historically, Chinese leaders have used force in such moments as a way to signal resolve to China’s adversaries, not to divert the public’s attention or increase social cohesion. —M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Sep. 2023

The huge turnout Wednesday, with thousands of people filling up at least two blocks outside the Paramount Pictures lot, was intended to be a demonstration of resolve at a moment when union members fear that studios are trying to divide them. —Erica Werner, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023

Penn was clad in an Army surplus jacket, and the two foes — Penn and Sean Hannity — found common ground celebrating Ukraine’s resolve. —Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 13 Sep. 2023

Regardless of Foss’s resolve to stay independent, the Gifford seemed headed toward the same fate. —Christopher Muther, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2023

Each side in the strikes is looking for cracks in the other’s resolve. —Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2023

Richardson said the decision not to apologize or leave was a show of resolve that salvaged the effort. —Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2023

During the four days following an on-board explosion, Mrs. Lovell showed steely resolve. —Michael S. Rosenwald, Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2023

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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

Phrases Containing resolve

• resolve/settle differences

• resolve/settle differences

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