resolve

verb

re·solve | \ ri-ˈzälv

, -ˈzȯlv also -ˈzäv or -ˈzȯv \

resolved; resolving

Essential Meaning of resolve

1 : to find an answer or solution to (something) : to settle or solve (something) The brothers finally resolved their conflict. The issue of the book's authorship was never resolved. See More ExamplesHis speech did nothing to resolve doubts about the company's future. They haven't been able to resolve their differences.Hide

2 : to make a definite and serious decision to do something She resolved to quit smoking. He resolved that he would start dating again.

3 : to make a formal decision about something usually by a vote The committee resolved to override the veto.

Full Definition of resolve

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

3a : 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

4a : 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

resolve

noun

Definition of resolve (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : fixity of purpose : resoluteness

2 : something that is resolved

3 : a legal or official determination especially : a formal resolution

Other Words from resolve Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About resolve

Other Words from resolve

Verb

resolvable \ ri-ˈzäl-və-bəl

, -ˈzȯl- also -ˈzä-və- or -ˈzȯ-və- \ adjective

resolver noun

Choose the Right Synonym for resolve

Verb

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 Over-the-counter medications, including ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen, can help resolve the issue, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2022 Bourla is hopeful the World Health Organization and the public-private vaccine alliance Gavi will be able to help resolve some of these issues. — Paul R. La Monica, CNN, 25 Dec. 2021 Guests were also referred to the New Life Recover Program, which aims to help resolve the cause of a person’s homelessness. — The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 Dec. 2021 Durrer is investigating whether backreaction might help resolve a growing cosmological crisis. — Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2021 Be an ally for your property manager and help resolve the tenant questions that are holding up payment. — Katherine Jackson, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2021 Some cases may then go to trial individually, which could help resolve the remaining cases. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 3 Dec. 2021 Now, the two sides plan to engage a federal mediator to help resolve differences after an impasse was declared last week. — Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Nov. 2021 President Vladimir Putin said Russia isn’t behind the migrant crisis playing out at the Poland-Belarus border, but instead is ready to help resolve it. — Time, 15 Nov. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Even the administration’s one show of resolve proved a tragic farce. — William Mcgurn, WSJ, 3 Jan. 2022 Doeren learned so much from his father, a man with the type of resolve to begin working at AMC Theaters ripping tickets and rise to become the entertainment giant’s chief operating officer. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Dec. 2021 What came next, however, was a heroic moment of resolve that will forever shine on the pages of our nation’s history. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2021 In life, Tommy always challenged Raskin to embody his ideals; in death, Tommy bestowed on his father a reaffirmed sense of resolve. — Caitlin Gibson, Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2021 Special interest groups are already preparing for a sustained campaign against those changes, and the next weeks will test whether Democrats have the resolve to make good on what has been a campaign slogan up until now. — Lauren Fox And Katie Lobosco, CNN, 13 Sep. 2021 Within hours of the early morning release of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s massive report Monday, its grim news was met with a wave of resolve. — BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2021 Assistant Coach Latrelle Watkins said missing the indoor season and the prior spring season fostered a greater measure of resolve on behalf of the student-athletes. — Douglas Clark, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2021 Now Omicron is further complicating the picture and raising questions about national resolve and endurance at a time of mounting frustration and fatigue. — Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'resolve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.