resolve
Americanverb (used with object)
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to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something).
I have resolved that I shall live to the full.
- Synonyms:
- confirm
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to separate into constituent or elementary parts; break up; cause or disintegrate (usually followed byinto ).
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to reduce or convert by, or as by, breaking up or disintegration (usually followed by to orinto ).
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to convert or transform by any process (often used reflexively).
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to reduce by mental analysis (often followed byinto ).
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to settle, determine, or state in a formal vote or formal expression of opinion or intention, as of a deliberative assembly.
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to deal with (a question, a matter of uncertainty, etc.) conclusively; settle; solve.
to resolve the question before the board.
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to clear away or dispel (doubts, fears, etc.); answer.
to resolve any doubts we may have had.
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Chemistry. to separate (a racemic mixture) into optically active components.
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Music. to cause (a voice part or the harmony as a whole) to progress from a dissonance to a consonance.
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Optics. to separate and make visible the individual parts of (an image); distinguish between.
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Medicine/Medical. to cause (swellings, inflammation, etc.) to disappear without suppuration.
verb (used without object)
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to come to a determination; make up one's mind; determine (often followed by on orupon ).
to resolve on a plan of action.
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to break up or disintegrate.
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to be reduced or changed by breaking up or otherwise (usually followed by to orinto ).
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Music. to progress from a dissonance to a consonance.
noun
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a resolution or determination made, as to follow some course of action.
- Synonyms:
- decision
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firmness of purpose or intent; determination.
verb
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(takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to decide or determine firmly
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to express (an opinion) formally, esp (of a public meeting) one agreed by a vote
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to separate or cause to separate (into) (constituent parts or elements)
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(usually reflexive) to change, alter, or appear to change or alter
the ghost resolved itself into a tree
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to make up the mind of; cause to decide
the tempest resolved him to stay at home
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to find the answer or solution to; solve
to resolve a problem
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to explain away or dispel
to resolve a doubt
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to bring to an end; conclude
to resolve an argument
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med to cause (a swelling or inflammation) to subside, esp without the formation of pus
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(also intr) to follow (a dissonant note or chord) or (of a dissonant note or chord) to be followed by one producing a consonance
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chem to separate (a racemic mixture) into its optically active constituents
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physics
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to distinguish between (separate parts) of (an image) as in a microscope, telescope, or other optical instrument
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to separate (two adjacent peaks) in a spectrum by means of a spectrometer
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maths to split (a vector) into its components in specified directions
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an obsolete word for dissolve
noun
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something determined or decided; resolution
he had made a resolve to work all day
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firmness of purpose; determination
nothing can break his resolve
Usage
What are other ways to say resolve?
To resolve something is to come to a definite or earnest decision about it. How is it different from decide and determine? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
- preresolve verb
- resolver noun
- unresolving adjective
Etymology
Origin of resolve
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English verb resolven “to alter, loosen, temper,” from Latin resolvere “to unfasten, loosen, release,” equivalent to re- re- + solvere solve
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.
Individuals are willing to forgo as much as 6% of expected benefits to resolve the uncertainty about future benefit levels.
From MarketWatch
While the ban has resolved the problem in the restricted areas, concerns have been raised by some that it has simply shunted the issue elsewhere.
From BBC
The order means that Anthropic's tools, like Claude, will continue to be used in the government and by any outside company working with the military until the lawsuit is resolved.
From BBC
MADRID—The war in Iran hadn’t even begun, and Spain’s prime minister had resolved to oppose it.
“When Ms. Barnett and Mr. LaBeouf both decided to resolve their differences and move on with their lives, no one forced her or ‘bullied’ her to stay silent,” Holley said in a statement.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
