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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
His attorneys have separately asked for a two-month delay to resolve other evidentiary disputes. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2025 However, Gomez will remain in detention in New Mexico until ICE chooses to release him or until his case is resolved in court—a process that could take months. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
For three years, U.S. and European officials showed remarkable resolve in countering Putin’s aggression. Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025 That incident strengthened his resolve to use his pizza shop as a tool to reduce recidivism rates, employing only formerly incarcerated people. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for resolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolve
Verb
  • At the end of a decision, NAD usually decides whether specific advertising claims were supported by facts.
    Kif Leswing, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
  • After years of struggling with symptoms and no relief, despite doing everything her medical team recommended, Cecilia decided to find a new care team.
    Korin Miller, Flow Space, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The hedge-fund collapses and Russian debt default in the 1998 financial panic and the U.S. sovereign-debt standoff in 2011 also did not feel as if they had been solved at the point the stock market started rebounding.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
  • His presence is part of the peculiar riddle that Djokovic, who turns 38 on May 22, has been trying to solve for going on two years now.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Bar Director Martino Franchi has built something ambitious here: a 21-strong cocktail list divided into three sections—Roots (for classics), Alchemy (for reimaginings), and Essence (for non-alcoholic drinks that aren’t an afterthought).
    Lela London, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • The winner will earn $3.1 million from a purse of $5 million divided among the top five finishers.
    Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Sustainable workplace culture change requires both determination and adaptability.
    Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The song finds Wetmore shedding light on a childhood with a father battling against alcohol and pills, and Wetmore’s resulting desire and determination to forge a different path.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The wide availability of options allows men to choose the approach best suited to their individual needs.
    Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • As for Carlisle’s claim that the results aren’t reflective of reality because not every player chose to take part in that particular question, that’s odd logic to levy.
    Sam Amick, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • JetBlue’s planned acquisition of Spirit Airlines was blocked by the Justice Department last year, while its partnership in the Northeast with American Airlines unraveled after the carriers lost an antitrust lawsuit in 2023.
    Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Mitchell turned it over twice more in the next two minutes, and everything quickly unraveled.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Start setting up your financial system by separating your personal and business finances.
    Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Xzibit’s filing argues that the two have been separated for more than four years.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The court’s decision is expected to turn on whether charter schools, which are publicly funded but have private operators, are public schools under the law.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • The Lovers arrive to suggest that a key relationship or decision will take center stage this month.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Resolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resolve. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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