unresolved

adjective

un·​re·​solved ˌən-ri-ˈzälvd 

-ˈzȯlvd

also -ˈzävd

or -ˈzȯvd

: not settled, solved, or brought to resolution : not resolved

an unresolved issue

a question that was left unresolved

Synonyms of unresolved

• pending
• unsettled
• undetermined

Examples of unresolved in a Sentence

we have to deal with several unresolved issues

Recent Examples on the Web

The unresolved warnings span some of California's most expensive and urgent problems, including unemployment fraud, homelessness spending oversight, public safety funding accountability, wildfire risk, and drinking water safety, just to name a few. —Julie Watts, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

Each new scandal reads less like an anomaly and more like the inevitable result of unresolved systemic flaws. —Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Territorial disputes and other sticking points remain unresolved, and another round of talks is planned for next week. —Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026

Gavin Newsom will vacate the office a year hence and probably run for president, leaving some issues slightly better, some slightly worse but all still unresolved. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unresolved

• absolved
• devolved
• dissolved
• evolved
• involved
• resolved
• revolved
• unsolved
• redissolved
• undissolved
• uninvolved
• solved

Medical Definition

unresolved

adjective

un·​re·​solved -ri-ˈzälvd, -ˈzȯlvd 

: not resolved : not having undergone resolution

unresolved pneumonia