Synonym Chooser

How is the word resolution distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of resolution are courage, mettle, spirit, and tenacity. While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

When might courage be a better fit than resolution?

The words courage and resolution are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

When can mettle be used instead of resolution?

While in some cases nearly identical to resolution, mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

When is spirit a more appropriate choice than resolution?

The synonyms spirit and resolution are sometimes interchangeable, but spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

How are the words tenacity and resolution related?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

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 resolution The speaker's plan has already been undermined earlier this week when the hardline House Freedom Caucus released its own budget resolution, representing the first of a two-step reconciliation plan. Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 12 Feb. 2025 Washington — House Republicans released a budget resolution on Wednesday, laying a foundation for advancing President Trump's agenda on border security, defense, energy and tax priorities, despite momentum around a competing proposal in the Senate. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 12 Feb. 2025 However, that amendment never made it into the final resolution that Suarez signed finalizing that deal about a week later. Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025 Higgins, who sponsored the resolution to produce the composting report, hopes to introduce legislation in February that would fix the zoning problems and allow composting on farmland not hooked up to sewage. Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for resolution 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolution
Noun
  • But the unusual decision to grant Musk's team access to millions of Americans' private taxpayer data has been described as potentially dangerous.
    Ewan Palmer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
  • North arrived with mobility issues that worsened with age, leading the Zoo to the difficult decision to humanely euthanize him.
    Lexi Harpster, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • But that also is when the Heat will have to display a resolve to stomach something better over the regular-season’s final 29 games.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Nosek showed that resolve Tuesday night with a team-high 15 points, but the host Mustangs were hardly a smooth-running machine in a 66-58 nonconference loss to Yorkville in Aurora.
    Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • That’s a very tight window between nominations and a final verdict.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2025
  • According to the Star Tribune, the verdict came just after 11 a.m. on Thursday.
    Jacqueline Devine, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Despite managing only three top-10 finishes in the Cup Series during that year, his determination has only grown, and the confidence Kaulig Racing has in him reflects his importance to their expectations this year.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
  • And that atmosphere of determination bred a desire to prove themselves.
    Ben Morse, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted in January found that shrinking the federal workforce — whether through job cuts or getting rid of entire agencies — has more opposition than support, although a significant share of Americans had yet to develop an opinion.
    Brian Witte, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Polls offer mixed signals about public opinion on these actions.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The Tennessean last week celebrated the conclusion of its inaugural Journalism Academy program for Tennessee college students.
    Cassandra Stephenson, The Tennessean, 12 Feb. 2025
  • With the conclusion of the 2024 NFL season and Super Bowl LIX in the rearview, teams are already eyeing prospects.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near resolution

Cite this Entry

“Resolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resolution. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on resolution

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