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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
But as the trial date approaches and uncertainty swirls over what the lawsuit could mean for the future of stock car racing, many of the team owners expressed a feeling of urgency to see the litigation resolved and indicated the current charter system was vital for their continued existence. Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025 The lawsuit has not been resolved. Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
But all resolves in that typically heartwarming Modern Family way, when Cam privately assures Mitchell that he may have been left out of a chat, but he'll never be left out of the heart of the family. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025 No attempt to sow fear or division could break your resolve. Rajeev Tyagi, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for resolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolve
Verb
  • Others believed Los Angeles should have put the deciding play in quarterback Matthew Stafford's hands.
    Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • When seeking to prosecute someone, a state attorney can file charges against them or choose to present evidence before a grand jury, composed of citizens who then must decide whether there is probable cause to issue an indictment and move to a trial.
    Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Her case has not been solved, though a tape unearthed in 2004 provided some possible assailants, and nothing involving Gein, who was cleared of any connection later in 1957.
    JR Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Nashville was chosen as one of the stops for fans to solve an international tour.
    Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • See how commonwealth compares to other states The classic Halloween symbol is also great at dividing the masses.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Taiwan’s tender architecture is divided into two parts for 2026 and 2027.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • State law requires licensers to provide initial determinations within 90 days.
    Max Rego, The Hill, 1 Oct. 2025
  • While her wit, charm and determination bring her attention, her collapsing health, social prejudice and family tensions conspire against her.
    Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Nonetheless, Kishimori chose the United States as his first overseas trip at age 20 and then chose the United States as his first destination after joining the Japanese Foreign Service.
    Carol Cain, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Patrons can choose between six spice levels.
    Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The 2025 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine has been awarded to a trio of scientists – two of them American and one Japanese – for unraveling how the immune system protects us from thousands of different microbes trying to invade our bodies.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The Oscar-winning actress stars as Grace, a mother living in Montana who begins to show signs of postpartum psychosis, her mental distress unraveling her relationship with Jackson (Robert Pattinson).
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These are the cases that break models in deployment—and the cases that separate an adequate system from a production-ready one.
    Brian Moore, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • With parishioners running to hide or get out of the building, Carter and Max were pushed up against a glass window separating the chapel from the foyer, which led to an exit.
    Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Helping clients 'divorce emotions from investment decisions' Parsons Capital Management is committed to treating its clients equally, as well, regardless of their financial standing, according to John Mullen.
    Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • After the decision, the LACSD stopped enforcing its own proper cause requirement for applications, per its website.
    Max Rego, The Hill, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Resolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resolve. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on resolve

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