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Definition of resolvenext
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resolve

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noun

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
Coming into the final season, all that really needs to be resolved is the fate of the restaurant and the fortunes of our chefs. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 25 June 2026 Most people have no idea their yard crew is creating an eyesore next door, and a friendly conversation often resolves the issue before anyone draws a line in the sand. Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2026
Noun
Instead, the blockade was becoming a public relations nightmare for Moscow—and the airlift a symbol of Western resolve. Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 June 2026 Black Rock Coalition bands like funk-metal group 24-7 Spyz and shoegaze oddballs the Veldt—particularly when the Veldt’s murkiness resolves into a major-key chorus. Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for resolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolve
Verb
  • Obviously, mom needs to be given the options in this situation and allowed to make her own decisions, but those options can be framed in such a way that mom has to decide the option within the framework of allowing her children their autonomy as well.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
  • After countless date nights spent wandering Costco aisles during executive member hours and dining on food-court pizza and hot dogs, Beth and Alec Harwerth decided there was no better location for their engagement photos.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Reopening the strait – which was fully open before the war – won’t immediately solve either of those problems.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • And even that reduction won’t be enough to solve the problem for the long term.
    Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Looking along party lines, Republicans are closely divided on AI, as 38% expect a positive impact on the economy and 40% expecting a negative impact.
    Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • Tens of thousands of North Koreans have fled to South Korea since the peninsula was divided by war in the 1950s.
    CBS News, CBS News, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • Croatia returned from the hydration break with determination, forcing Panama to play its game for the first time so far.
    Monica Alba, NBC news, 24 June 2026
  • Sayers, however, appealed the OOR’s determination to the Centre County Court of Common Pleas.
    Jonah Walters, The Conversation, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Manhattan matchup The two super PAC networks have largely shied away from producing ads that mention AI and have mostly chosen to avoid competing against each other in the same races.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • The comedian, 38, best known for his role as the acerbic gay best friend Elliott Goss in HBO’s Search Party, chose our meeting place to take advantage of the balmy late-May weather and to say goodbye to the neighborhood.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Schlittler did allow some traffic before things unraveled in the fifth, permitting a walk and a single to start the inning.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
  • Though the story itself is comically predictable, Chloe Bailey’s earnest portrayal and the lure of the iconic Lynn Whitfield make the movie fun to watch even as the narrative completely unravels at the seams.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • By 58% to 42%, those surveyed said Americans were mostly separated by different values, not bound by shared ones.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • De la Espriella strikes reassuring tone With only a few hundred thousand votes separating the two candidates, De la Espriella used his victory speech to try to calm his critics.
    CBS News, CBS News, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Harry has fought the decision in court to reinstate security, citing safety concerns for his wife and children, the outlet shared.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026
  • The latest decision marks another step toward advancing one of the country’s key uranium development projects.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Resolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resolve. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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