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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to solve

to find an answer for through reasoning resolve the apparent contradictions in the collected data

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to divide

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Examples 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

California will receive $122 million in a settlement agreement with Kroger, the grocery chain and parent company of Ralphs, to resolve lawsuits over its alleged role in the opioid crisis and how its pharmacies dispensed prescription painkillers to customers. —

Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 The issue has since been resolved, and emails are no longer visible. —

Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

Congress can shore up the program by cutting benefits, raising taxes or choosing a combination of the two, but so far politicians haven’t shown any resolve to make these hard decisions. —

Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 13 Oct. 2024 Thunberg’s vulnerability, combined with her resolve, represented both the fragility and the strength of our planet, and likely held up a mirror to the inner child within all of us who feels helpless in the face of overwhelming challenges. —

Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for resolve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolve

Verb

Unfortunately, for this exact reason, the studios decided to steer clear of the second weekend of November, which means there’s nothing else to talk about.

Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024
This has been a winning MacBook design for Apple, so the company has again decided on refinement over reinvention.

PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024