resolve

1 of 2

verb

re·solve ri-ˈzälv

-ˈzȯlv,

also -ˈzäv,

or -ˈzȯv

resolved; resolving

Synonyms of resolve next

transitive verb

: to deal with successfully : clear up

resolve doubts

resolve a dispute

: to find an answer to

: to make clear or understandable

: to find a mathematical solution of

: to split up into two or more components especially in assigned directions

resolve a vector

: to reach a firm decision about

resolve to get more sleep

resolve disputed points in a text

: to declare or decide by a formal resolution and vote

: to change by resolution or formal vote

the house resolved itself into a committee

: break up, separate

the prism resolved the light into a play of color

also : to change by disintegration

: to reduce by analysis

resolve the problem into simple elements

: to distinguish between or make independently visible adjacent parts of

: to separate (a racemic compound or mixture) into the two components

: to make (something, such as one or more voice parts or the total musical harmony) progress from dissonance to consonance

: to work out the resolution of (something, such as a play)

: to cause resolution of (a pathological state)

obsolete : dissolve, melt

intransitive verb

: to become separated into component parts

also : to become reduced by dissolving or analysis

: to form a resolution : determine

: consult, deliberate

: 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

: fixity of purpose : resoluteness

: something that is resolved

: a legal or official determination

especially : a formal resolution

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. 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 See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Wells Fargo settlement:Wells Fargo to pay $3B settlement for violating antifraud rules, resolving fake account probes Why did investors sue? —

USA TODAY, 16 May 2023 Since 2016, Wells Fargo has paid or set aside billions of dollars to resolve regulatory probes and litigation concerning its business practices. —

Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 16 May 2023 Other officials said the White House does not plan to announce its halting of Spacecom's move to Alabama until after the standoff with Tuberville over nominees was resolved. —

Courtney Kube, NBC News, 15 May 2023 Leaving one of the group’s concerts, Bartscherer had a vague idea for a piece of music theater: There would be two voices in love whose relationship develops, facing symbolic conflict from within and without, before resolving, all during a cycle of the four seasons. —

Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 15 May 2023 The stadium said the issue was addressed and resolved internally. —

Michael Roppolo, CBS News, 15 May 2023 After the incident was resolved, the rest of the show seemingly went off without a hitch. —

Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 14 May 2023 Enter Email Sign Up The finance leaders’ talks laid the groundwork for a summit of G-7 leaders in Hiroshima next week that President Joe Biden is expected to attend despite a crisis over the U.S. debt ceiling that could result in a national default if it is not resolved in the coming weeks. —

Elaine Kurtenbach, BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2023 But there's another potential love connection that must be resolved, too. —

Lincee Ray, EW.com, 12 May 2023

Noun

But Cornell scored just 25 seconds later, then added the tying goal nine seconds after that, showing the resolve that got the Big Red to the national title game last season. —

Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 14 May 2023 And on Friday, hours after the restrictions had ended, the waiting, the uncertainty and the resolve persisted in place after place. —

Simon Romero, New York Times, 12 May 2023 Su cited an announcement of a special operation in the Taiwan Strait from the Maritime Safety Administration of Fujian province, which may indicate Beijing is attempting to signal resolve without resorting to military exercises. —

Amy B Wang, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2023 Now Iran and its militias are testing U.S. resolve in Syria and Iraq, and Americans are the targets. —

The Editorial Board, WSJ, 24 Mar. 2023 Win over Minnesota another example of UW growth The Buckeyes' resolve has built over years of continuity. —

Mark Stewart, Journal Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2023 The feeling of connection — of quiet resolve and team spirit — could be felt throughout the first day’s sessions of the EMA Impact Summit. —

Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2023 For some, even the possibility of Pakistan defaulting – a certainty, experts say, if the country can’t secure the IMF bailout – isn’t enough to shake their resolve. —

Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Feb. 2023 But the results have only strengthened the resolve of Damian Delgado, one of eight seniors. —

Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 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.