Synonym Chooser

How is the word resolution distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of resolution are courage, mettle, spirit, and tenacity. While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

When might courage be a better fit than resolution?

The words courage and resolution are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

When can mettle be used instead of resolution?

While in some cases nearly identical to resolution, mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

When is spirit a more appropriate choice than resolution?

The synonyms spirit and resolution are sometimes interchangeable, but spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

How are the words tenacity and resolution related?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of resolution Wouldn't even be an issue if Democrats just vote for this continuing resolution. Obed Manuel, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025 Lacking in resolution or over-explained. Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025 Councilwoman Monique Jones was the only one to vote against the resolution. Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2025 The Senate decided against holding votes on competing continuing resolutions (CR) on Tuesday as both parties remain dug in on how to end the government shutdown. Jared Gans, The Hill, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for resolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolution
Noun
  • Hanke hastens to add that the administration hasn’t made any definitive decision on whether to back the strategy.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • There will be debates, for months, about manager Rob Thomson’s decision to ask Bryson Stott to bunt against a lefty reliever with no outs and the tying run on second base in the ninth inning.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That resolve was echoed across Grand Blanc throughout the week, as people scrambled for ways to do something, anything to help.
    John Wisely, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Fanilo, a 21-year-old medical student in Madagascar's capital Antananarivo who has been taking part in the demonstrations, said the government's handling of the protests has only strengthened the youth's resolve.
    Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The verdict is still out as to whether September’s pullback in cattle futures is a temporary pause in an ongoing climb higher or the first sign of lasting relief in a costly beef cycle.
    Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
  • After the verdict was read, Diddy turned to the jury, placing his hands in a prayer-like fashion, according to the Associated Press.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Loosely based on the life of ping-pong great Marty Reisman, the film stars Timothée Chalamet as the fictional Marty Mauser, a table tennis wiz coming up in 1950s New York City with the hyper-determination to become a world champion.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Bichette was ruled out for the ongoing series against the Yankees and the team has yet to reveal an official determination for any potential future playoff rounds.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In their opinion, the bank hasn’t adequately compensated Epstein’s victims.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.
    Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Still, the decisiveness with which Nix delivered the ball, trusting both the protection in front of him and what his eyes were seeing with the defense, was encouraging.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The impact of synthetic users revolves around speed and decisiveness.
    Dmytro Spilka, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Just two years after Riverdale came to its dramatic conclusion, Archie Andrews is plotting his return to television screens once again — and, this time around, things are about to get a whole lot spookier.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The authors reached their conclusions after analyzing data from the Trøndelag Health Study.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Resolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resolution. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on resolution

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