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

• 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 outcome of that case is not expected to resolve issues that election groups now say the high court must address. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 10 July 2025

This shift could dismantle the Housing First model, which provides stable housing and support services without requiring individuals to resolve underlying issues first. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 10 July 2025

Noun

Naval presence operations are designed to shape the perceptions and behavior of potential adversaries, said Emma Salisbury, a researcher at the Council on Geostrategy in the U.K., by helping to deter aggression and demonstrate resolve without resorting to conflict. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025

Any signs that Ukraine’s backers are losing their resolve will only encourage Moscow to stick to that course, a task made easier by the support of Russia’s allies, the absence of material internal dissent, and the low level of importance that the Kremlin attaches to its own soldiers’ deaths. —The Editors, National Review, 11 July 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 1

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