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

Joshua said viral meningitis often resolves on its own, while bacterial meningitis can progress rapidly and requires prompt treatment with antibiotics. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026 Discussing realistic exit scenarios early, and documenting how disagreements will be resolved, protects the relationship as much as the investment. — Anas Bhairi, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Noun

The music resolves and smoke rolls into the gallery before the screen opens up and the real Endeavour gleams in the distance, spotlighted like a mirage in the dark. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 Mobilisation proceeded calmly, even if the mood of the assembling conscripts was more one of quiet resolve than passionate enthusiasm. — Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resolve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolve

Verb

Days after the midterm elections, Proposition 40 has yet to be decided.

— Vanessa Martínez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Find out what’s possible, then decide whether to participate.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of decide

Verb

Kotlikoff defended his leadership, arguing that replacing him would do little to solve complex problems and could damage Cornell’s reputation.

— Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
An 18-year-old mathematical problem concerning the limits of quantum computing may finally have been solved in just three days.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 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

The 15-year-old Ghanaian immigrant shot to death on his way to his Bronx school recently wrote in his diary about his determination to continue his studies and find success in America.

— Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
All of those assertions, however, rested on the critical determinations made by the scientists handling the storage chapter.

— Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 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

Verb

The leather chain separates from the meat chain early and runs through more hands, weakening the link between the tannery and the farm.

— Maria Brozman, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
The couple briefly separated in 2025 after the first season of the reality show had aired, but later reconciled.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of separate

Noun

Educators see every day how decisions about staffing, resources, and working conditions affect students’ opportunities to learn.

— Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
Court records show the church's initial investigation into the boys' report was inconclusive, and Hamilton later said in a debate he was not involved in the decision to allow the volunteer to return.

— Grace Hills, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of decision

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resolvable

resolve

resolved

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“Resolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resolve. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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noun

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