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

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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

And the episode never takes the time to actually resolve most of the room-swap issues, really. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 History makes clear that trade imbalances are always resolved eventually. — Michael Pettis, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026

Noun

Securing access to Haiti’s main airport and seaport, restoring links to the south, expanding voter registration and building trauma centers for police are cast as urgent tests for international resolve. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 The big story For Beijing, the artificial intelligence race is a story of resolve. — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resolve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolve

Verb

The 6-foot-3, 170-pound Hayes ultimately decided to continue.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
So Issa decides to bring out the real Paul Baker by inviting over all his bros.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of decide

Verb

The case has become a national cultural fixation and a social media spectacle, gripping and dividing spectators well beyond the Massachusetts courtroom where the 36-year-old mother is charged with killing her three young children.

— Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Essentially a form of computational fluid dynamics, the simulation divides the flow passages into a very large number of tiny regions and calculates things such as velocity, pressure, turbulence, and temperature throughout the component.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of divide

Noun

The conference said its rule would apply independently of the status of NCAA eligibility determinations.

— Aaron Beard, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
In his ruling Gayles rejected the government’s argument that Vorbe could be held in mandatory detention without a bond hearing simply because of Rubio’s determination in a letter.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of determination

Verb

Rage cycling sessions, anxiety yoga and dozens of similar fitness initiatives have gained traction in recent years, inviting people to choose workout classes based on experiences and emotions.

— Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Do not state that the charity the person has chosen is low on your list of priorities.

— Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of choose

Verb

While nearly 30 players were given the ball cap and figurative clipboard to watch from the sidelines, key position battles unraveled in the desert in the team’s win.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2026
One day, a position group can be the best and brightest on a team — that is until a few injuries unravel the entire situation.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of unravel

Verb

The team analyzed the corridor over the long term and used seasonal-trend decomposition using LOESS, a statistical method that helped separate seasonal fluctuations from longer-term settlement.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
The bridge connects two settlements in a valley in northwest Rwanda that are separated by the river.

— Fatma Tanis, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of separate

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resolved

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“Resolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resolve. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of resolve

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