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
Derived 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.
One of the most striking exhibits is an exact replica of Obama's Oval Office, where visitors can sit behind the full-scale Resolute Desk.
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
They can also sit at the Resolute Desk and have someone snap their photo.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
It says the company’s Doropo project is becoming a key focus as Resolute targets a final investment decision in 1H 2026.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026
Some of these contenders want to sit in the Oval Office, and there can be only one butt in the chair behind the Resolute Desk.
From Slate • Dec. 23, 2025
In April 1853, with many of them in desperate physical condition, the crew of the HMS Investigator was rescued by a sledge party from the HMS Resolute, another British vessel searching for the Franklin party.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
Definitions 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.
