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 House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has acknowledged that Republicans could not have passed a budget resolution in April had their narrow majority not been widened by the deaths of two members of his own caucus. Charlotte Alter, Time, 19 May 2025 Match of the Day was broadcast with no presenters, pundits or commentators for one night only in March 2023 before a resolution was eventually found to bring about Lineker’s return. Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 May 2025 Investors looking for reduction below 80% Wall Street, as well, is eager for a resolution to the trade war between the U.S. and China, which has spurred market volatility in recent weeks. Alain Sherter, CBS News, 9 May 2025 This large screen has a Quad HD resolution (2,560 x 1,440), meaning text will look nice and sharp, and the 165-Hz screen refresh rate will make moving through macOS feel buttery smooth. Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for resolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolution
Noun
  • Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • His moral clarity and resolve helped dismantle communism’s grip across Eastern Europe, creating space for evangelism and spiritual renewal.
    Case Thorp, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025
  • In a post-AGI era, there is a notable task that AGI could substantially help humanity resolve.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • After Chauvin’s trial, a CBS News/YouGov poll in 2021 found that 75% of those surveyed thought that the jury had reached the right verdict in convicting him.
    Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Decades of abuse Several dozen victims and rights campaigners gathered outside the courthouse ahead of the verdict, holding a banner made of hundreds of pieces of white paper with black silhouettes, one for each victim.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • While an immigration judge in Louisiana has found Khalil deportable based on Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s determination, his lawyers separately brought the federal court case to ask Farbiaz to weigh in on the constitutional issues at play.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025
  • And there is determination and Stovall has plenty of that.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • In my opinion, using AI agents to rethink the creation, delivery and scaling of value is more effective than simply viewing them as efficiency tools.
    Umair Javed, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • The court previously annulled the 2024 presidential election, citing claims that Russia bolstered the online profile and public opinion of independent right-wing candidate Călin Georgescu, who won the preliminary round.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • After 188 games, the 2024-25 Champions League comes to a conclusion on Saturday night in Munich as Paris Saint-Germain face off against Inter. Ahead of the game at the Allianz Arena, our writers James Horncastle and Michael Cox are on hand to answer your questions.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • In 2018, The Karate Kid franchise made a comeback with two seasons of Cobra Kai on the now-defunct YouTube Red channel before it was acquired by Netflix, which in turn produced four more seasons that came to a conclusion earlier this year.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Resolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resolution. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on resolution

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!