Resolve — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ri-ˈzälv/ re·solve

Meaning & Definition of Resolve

Resolve (verb)

  1. to deal with successfully, clear up
  2. to find an answer to
  3. to make clear or understandable

Resolve (noun)

  1. fixity of purpose, resoluteness
  2. something that is resolved
  3. a legal or official determination; especially, a formal resolution

Resolve (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration

    "I resolved to eat more healthily and to exercise regularly"

    similar: choose, conclude, decide, determine, figure, name, opt, settle (on or upon)
    related: decree, rule, cull, elect, handpick, pick, prefer, select, single (out), adjudge, adjudicate, arbitrate, find, judge, referee, rule (on), umpire, chew over, cogitate, consider, contemplate, debate, deliberate, entertain, meditate, mull (over), ponder, question, ruminate, study, think (about or over), weigh
    near: abstain, decline, refuse, reject, turn down, delay, halt, hesitate, stall, temporize, shilly-shally, vacillate, waffle, waver

  2. to find an answer for through reasoning

    "resolve the apparent contradictions in the collected data"

    similar: answer, break, crack, dope (out), figure out, puzzle (out), riddle (out), solve, unravel, unriddle, work, work out
    related: conclude, decide, deduce, gather, infer, judge, reason, clear (up), iron out, straighten (out), unscramble, untangle, untie, assume, conjecture, divine, guess, presume, speculate, decipher, decode

  3. to set or force apart

    "a prism will resolve a beam of light into an array of colors"

    similar: break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, dissociate, disunite, divide, divorce, part, ramify, separate, sever, split, sunder, uncouple, unlink, unyoke
    related: break down, decompose, disassemble, disintegrate, dissolve, bifurcate, bisect, cleave, dichotomize, dissect, fractionalize, fractionate, halve, partition, quarter, segment, subdivide, trisect, fragment, fragmentate, fragmentize, break, fracture, pull, rend, rift, rip, rive, rupture, tear, cut off, insulate, isolate, seclude, segregate, sequester, detach, disengage, disentangle, unravel, untie
    opposite: join, link, unify, unite
    near: assemble, associate, blend, combine, mingle, mix, connect, couple, accumulate, agglutinate, attach, bind, cement, close, fasten, fuse, knit, stick, weld

Resolve (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. firm or unwavering adherence to one's purpose

    "a naval pilot who has been unwavering in his resolve to become an astronaut"

    similar: decidedness, decision, decisiveness, determination, determinedness, firmness, granite, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, stick-to-itiveness
    related: doggedness, obduracy, obdurateness, obstinacy, obstinateness, perseverance, persistence, persistency, stubbornness, tenaciousness, tenacity, certainty, certitude, confidence, sureness, alacrity, eagerness, gameness, readiness, backbone, fortitude, grit, iron, pluck, sand
    opposite: hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness, irresoluteness, irresolution, vacillation
    near: doubt, incertitude, indetermination, uncertainty, aversion, disinclination, indisposition, reluctance, unwillingness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Resolve

The most common words with a similar meaning to Resolve:

choose, conclude, decide, determine, figure, name, opt, settle (on or upon), answer, break, crack, dope (out), figure out, puzzle (out), riddle (out), solve, unravel, unriddle, work, work out, break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, dissociate, disunite, divide, divorce, part, ramify, separate, sever, split, sunder, uncouple, unlink, unyoke

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Resolve

Words with the opposite meaning of Resolve:

join, link, unify, unite, hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness, irresoluteness, irresolution, vacillation

Related Words for Resolve

decree, rule, cull, elect, handpick, pick, prefer, select, single (out), adjudge, adjudicate, arbitrate, find, judge, referee, rule (on), umpire, chew over, cogitate, consider, contemplate, debate, deliberate, entertain, meditate, mull (over), ponder, question, ruminate, study

Near Antonyms of Resolve

abstain, decline, refuse, reject, turn down, delay, halt, hesitate, stall, temporize, shilly-shally, vacillate, waffle, waver, assemble, associate, blend, combine, mingle, mix, connect, couple, accumulate, agglutinate, attach, bind, cement, close, fasten, fuse

Word Forms of Resolve

Inflections: resolved, resolving

Derived words: resolvable (adjective), resolver (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Resolve

Middle English, from Latin resolvere to unloose, dissolve, from re- + solvere to loosen, release solve

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Resolve

Words & Phrases Containing Resolve

resolve/settle differences

Frequently Asked Questions about Resolve

What does "Resolve" mean?

"Resolve" means to deal with successfully, clear up. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to deal with successfully, clear up. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Resolve"?

Other words for "Resolve" include choose, conclude, decide, determine, figure, name, opt and settle (on or upon). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Resolve" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Resolve"?

There are 164 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Resolve". Common alternatives include choose, conclude, decide, determine, figure, name, opt, settle (on or upon), answer and break.

What is the opposite of "Resolve"?

Antonyms of "Resolve" include join, link, unify, unite, hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness and irresoluteness. Near antonyms include abstain, decline, refuse and reject.

How do you use "Resolve" in a sentence?

Examples of "Resolve" in a sentence: "I resolved to eat more healthily and to exercise regularly"; "resolve the apparent contradictions in the collected data"; "a prism will resolve a beam of light into an array of colors".

Is "Resolve" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Resolve" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Resolve" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Resolve" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Resolve"?

"Resolve" is pronounced /ri-ˈzälv/ and divided into syllables as re·solve.