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

Cecilia Bach’s lawsuit over the death of Keith Bach, her husband of 35 years, in the men’s Central Jail in 2023 has been resolved with a settlement. — Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2026 Positive reviews often mention honesty and professionalism, while some negative feedback focuses on issues with response time and an inability to resolve tax debt issues for some individuals. — Adam Palasciano, USA Today, 25 July 2026

Noun

Whether a challenge was reckless or unlucky, whether force was proportionate, whether intent should count at all — no additional data resolves these questions. — Oded Netzer, Fortune, 13 July 2026 The bank, however, expects the hiking cycle will be brief, allowing the Fed to stay on hold in 2027 after showing its resolve to tame inflation. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for resolve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolve

Verb

During Covid, when many people were indoors picking up new hobbies, Lloyd decided to lace up his running shoes and quickly fell in love with the sport.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
The Jayhawks, who were blown out by KSU’s Purple Reign by 19 points in Game 1 on Tuesday in Manhattan, only to win Wednesday in Topeka, trailed 12-0 five minutes into the deciding contest.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026

Definition of decide

Verb

This expansion weakened their interaction with the material, naturally dividing the mixture into heavier and lighter groups without using traditional solvent extraction.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
Cooper said the attackers divided into groups and surrounded Drakeo’s party near the artist entrance.

— Dave Brooks, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of divide

Noun

Passion, determination and dedication to the club and his cause are non-negotiables.

— Elias Burke, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Social Security serves more than 300 million Americans through benefit payments, retirement records, disability determinations, replacement cards and hundreds of millions of annual transactions.

— Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2026

Definition of determination

Verb

But after choosing to skip the team’s upcoming July 23 White House visit celebrating their 2026 World Series title, the utility veteran found himself at the center of a heated political debate.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
Half its opening weekend audience chose PLFs, proving moviegoers will pay for an experience unavailable at home.

— David Deal, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of choose

Verb

The truce unraveled after both sides resumed attacks on each other’s military installations and other infrastructure.

— Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
The team got a preview of Brazil after the pair of friendlies earlier this June, including the atmosphere and how top teams will look to unravel their approach.

— Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of unravel

Verb

After two-and-a-half minutes, the booster separated from Starship, returning to Earth.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 25 July 2026
Resilience, and ample amounts of it, is a necessity, and one way to build this reservoir of resilience is to stop separating health and business.

— Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of separate

Noun

The conspiracies of the Heat mistakenly leaking James’ decision to return to Miami also picked up steam, and the Heat simultaneously skyrocketed on the Polymarket and Kalshi prediction market platforms as James’ next team.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski said Burke’s mother, Colleen Burke, managed most of the company’s financial decisions.

— Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 22 July 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 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of resolve

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