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 next

as in to decide

to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration I resolved to eat more healthily and to exercise regularly

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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

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as in to divide

to set or force apart a prism will resolve a beam of light into an array of colors

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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

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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

The violations stemmed from a personnel issue that has since been resolved, Catawba County Manager Mary Furtado said in an email. —

Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026 Trying to resolve tensions on the team? —

Usa Today, USA Today, 7 May 2026

Noun

This is now a real test of Arsenal’s resolve and resilience. —

Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026 The eye fixed on me, binding me to millions—billions—of other eyes, only steels my resolve to see my sacrifice through to the end. —

Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resolve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolve

Verb

The council voted unanimously Thursday to shift away from deciding how many bus stops the new law will affect, leaving that decision up to the county’s regional planning agency — the San Diego Association of Governments — to make in coming weeks.

— David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
So there is nothing to be decided at this time.

— Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026

Definition of decide

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resolvable

resolve

resolved

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Style

“Resolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resolve. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of resolve

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