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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
In the viral video posted by their mother, Lauren Reed, the toddlers calmly resolved an argument with a surprising amount of maturity. Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 11 May 2025 However, neither group seemed to want to resolve the discrepancy between their two theories of how vertebrate palliums evolved, according to García-Moreno. Yasemin Saplakoglu, Wired News, 11 May 2025
Noun
Editors’ Picks More U.S. political news: A damning new book about Joe Biden depicts an aging president surrounded by family and aides who enabled his quixotic resolve to run for a second term. Natasha Frost, New York Times, 14 May 2025 Luckily for Diggins, his resolve was steeled from his experiences with discipline in Japan. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for resolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolve
Verb
  • The Court found that the IRS was correct in its decision to revoke tax-exempt status, but the case was not decided until 1983.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • The California State Parks Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving California’s state park system, decided to make its first-ever top 10 list after receiving hundreds of queries over the years about the best parks to visit, Norton told The Tribune.
    Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Since the series tries to spotlight so many people in the Ironwood community, the audience is often pulled in several directions when the focus could have stayed squarely on the twins, the quest to repair Christian’s car and solving the mystery of his disappearance.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 May 2025
  • Already, the technology has shown its capacity to solve complex problems, optimize processes and inform enhanced decision-making.
    Chris Brown, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Divided Society Finally, the uneven distribution of access to and benefits from humanoid technology could divide society even further.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • These changes, called genetic mutations, cause bone marrow cells to grow and divide too quickly.11 Experts don’t fully understand why these genetic mutations happen.
    Health, Health, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife did not indicate in its news release what may have caused the animal’s death but said a final determination will be made after a necropsy.
    Max Levy, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
  • This portrait of a chef who moved from Japan in the 1970s delivers a generous helping of warm and fuzzy feels, as its subject faces challenges with determination and celebrates the daily joy of creating beautiful bites.
    Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • There are two classe s to choose from every Tuesday -- 9:15-11:15 a.m. and 5:30-7:15 p.m.
    Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2025
  • When choosing a supplement, look for products independently tested or certified by organizations such as NSF, U.S. Pharmacopeia, or ConsumerLab.com.
    Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • But things quickly take a dark turn with the planet seeming to unravel.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
  • Trump’s entire economic agenda is contingent on the tax and spending bill’s passage at the same time the bill’s passage could trigger bond market vigilantes to unravel Trump’s entire economic agenda.
    Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • The two are separated by an Interstate 95 overpass and the complex intersection of South Miami Avenue, South Dixie Highway, Brickell Avenue and Southwest 26th Road.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
  • The couples who were separated in the show — like Jack and Kate, Desmond and Penny and Sawyer and Juliet — all reunited in those flashes.
    Julie Tremaine, People.com, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • That was guiding a lot of our decision making — how to land the plane in terms of the emotional realities that were going on in the film.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 24 May 2025
  • However, his decision was met with disapproval from his mother.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Resolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resolve. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

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