resolute
Americanadjective
-
firmly resolved or determined; set in purpose or opinion.
Her parents wanted her to marry, but she was focused on her education and remained resolute.
-
characterized by firmness and determination, as the temper, spirit, actions, etc..
The mayor was asked to take resolute action against the looters.
- Synonyms:
- undaunted
adjective
-
firm in purpose or belief; steadfast
-
characterized by resolution; determined
a resolute answer
Synonym Usage
See earnest 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of resolute
First recorded in 1375–1425 for earlier sense “dissolved”; 1525–35 for current senses; late Middle English, from Latin resolūtus, past participle of the verb resolvere resolve
Explanation
Use the adjective resolute to describe a purposeful and determined person, someone who wants to do something very much, and won't let anything get in the way. "Milo thought for just a moment and then, with a resolute 'I shall,' volunteered to go," Norton Juster writes in the classic children's novel The Phantom Tollbooth. From the way Milo said "I shall," we can infer that he was quite confident in his split-second decision, or at least made himself appear to be so. Some near-synonyms for this word include resolved, adamant, unswerving, and unwavering. If you make a "resolute refusal" of something, you're declaring you don't like it and never will.
Vocabulary lists containing resolute
The Tragedy of Macbeth
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Beowulf
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Things Fall Apart
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Dolores Huerta, the fiery and resolute activist who helped launch and guide the nation’s first enduring labor union for poor farmworkers and later became an inspiration to women and liberal true believers, has died.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
For decades, Germany has seen resolute support for Israel as a fundamental duty largely because of Nazi Germany's responsibility for the genocide of millions of European Jews during the Holocaust.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
They have made a great start to the season to stay unbeaten so far and, under David Moyes, they are a battle-hardened, resolute and well-organised outfit.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
The message from incumbent European leaders is resolute, to a point.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
He seemed uncharacteristically powerless and contrite, a far cry from the tough, resolute and absolute ruler of the house I knew him to be, the father whose words were law.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
