RESOLVE Synonyms: 216 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'resolve' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of resolve are decide , determine , rule , and settle . While all these words mean "to come or cause to come to a conclusion," resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something. // he resolved to quit smoking

Q: When might 'decide' be a better fit than 'resolve'?

In some situations, the words decide and resolve are roughly equivalent. However, decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy. // she decided to sell her house

Q: When could 'determine' be used to replace 'resolve'?

Although the words determine and resolve have much in common, determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something. // determined the cause of the problem

Q: When is it sensible to use 'rule' instead of 'resolve'?

The words rule and resolve can be used in similar contexts, but rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority. // the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

Q: When would 'settle' be a good substitute for 'resolve'?

While the synonyms settle and resolve are close in meaning, settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty. // the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy

resolve 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈzälv

Definition of resolve

as in to decide

to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration I resolved to eat more healthily and to exercise regularly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to solve

to find an answer for through reasoning resolve the apparent contradictions in the collected data

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to divide

to set or force apart a prism will resolve a beam of light into an array of colors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

resolve

2 of 2

noun

as in determination

firm or unwavering adherence to one's purpose a naval pilot who has been unwavering in his resolve to become an astronaut

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb resolve differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of resolve are decide, determine, rule, and settle. While all these words mean "to come or cause to come to a conclusion," resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something.

he resolved to quit smoking

When might decide be a better fit than resolve?

In some situations, the words decide and resolve are roughly equivalent. However, decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy.

she decided to sell her house

When could determine be used to replace resolve?

Although the words determine and resolve have much in common, determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.

determined the cause of the problem

When is it sensible to use rule instead of resolve?

The words rule and resolve can be used in similar contexts, but rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.

the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

When would settle be a good substitute for resolve?

While the synonyms settle and resolve are close in meaning, settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.

the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy

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 resolve

Verb

However, resolving the impact will likely take time given many airline crews and planes are out of place, and considering pilot and flight attendant max duty time. — Jay Blackman, NBC news, 14 Nov. 2026 Walker was part of a group rallying against the hospital's decision in September to end transgender treatments for minors to resolve a Department of Justice investigation into youth gender transition procedures. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 14 Nov. 2026

Noun

What is needed now is the institutional resolve to close these gaps with a sense of urgency, precision and sustained commitment. — Aldrin Rafael Bonilla, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026 The Tartans’ resilience and resolve stood out in the contest against Calabasas. — Dan Rios, Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resolve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolve

Verb

On a larger scale, the Sentinel’s former executive editor and her husband, Julie and Lars Anderson, decided to fund an entire investigative team this year.

— Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2026
So Hudson then, curiously, sued in a lower court to block the release, notwithstanding that a majority of the justices already decided the issue.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of decide

Verb

To solve the case, prosecutors said the Elk Grove Police Department used Flock cameras and other traffic surveillance footage that captured Navarrete’s movements.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2026
The cube has enjoyed another surge in popularity in recent years as global competitions have proliferated, measuring who can solve the puzzle the fastest.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of solve

Verb

Chiplets and advanced packaging Chiplet designs divide a system’s functions among smaller semiconductor dies connected within a single package.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Those benefits focus on food security, economic mobility and reconnecting neighborhoods divided by the highway.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of divide

Noun

In other words, the letters include enough information for people to make inquiries of their own and decide if the determinations are correct.

— Sharmila Venkatasubban, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
For Valerto, the experience has reinforced his belief that starting a business doesn't necessarily require extensive experience, just determination and a willingness to learn.

— Scott Withers, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of determination

Verb

Hormones aren’t the only treatments Some patients choose not to take full-body hormonal medications or are advised by their doctors to avoid them because of their medical histories or conditions.

— Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
With so many electrolyte products out there, choosing the right one is a challenge in and of itself — and the answer really depends on your needs, Efird says.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of choose

Verb

Things unravel when Sovieshu falls for Rashta, an escaped slave, and goes to extreme lengths to win her over.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026
At the time, Demna’s Balenciaga menswear became a massive (pun intended) hit, with its XXXL tailoring, gigantic parkas, humungous trainers, and various satirizations of unraveling corporate manhood, untucked shirts, desperate neckties, and all.

— Sarah Mower, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of unravel

Noun

Public voting accounts for 10% of the final decision, with a selection panel determining the winner.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Every lineup decision matters more than ever, so let’s dive into the Week 10 matchups and find the players who can give your team an edge.

— Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of decision

Browse Nearby Words

resolvable

resolve

resolved

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Resolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resolve. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of resolve

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

lissome

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes