resolve

[ri-zolv]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR resolve ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), re·solved, re·solv·ing.

to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall live to the full.

to separate into constituent or elementary parts; break up; cause or disintegrate (usually followed by into).

to reduce or convert by, or as by, breaking up or disintegration (usually followed by to or into).

to convert or transform by any process (often used reflexively).

to reduce by mental analysis (often followed by into).

to settle, determine, or state in a formal vote or formal expression of opinion or intention, as of a deliberative assembly.

to deal with (a question, a matter of uncertainty, etc.) conclusively; settle; solve: to resolve the question before the board.

to clear away or dispel (doubts, fears, etc.); answer: to resolve any doubts we may have had.

Chemistry. to separate (a racemic mixture) into optically active components.

Music. to cause (a voice part or the harmony as a whole) to progress from a dissonance to a consonance.

Optics. to separate and make visible the individual parts of (an image); distinguish between.

Medicine/Medical. to cause (swellings, inflammation, etc.) to disappear without suppuration.

verb (used without object), re·solved, re·solv·ing.

to come to a determination; make up one's mind; determine (often followed by on or upon): to resolve on a plan of action.

to break up or disintegrate.

to be reduced or changed by breaking up or otherwise (usually followed by to or into).

Music. to progress from a dissonance to a consonance.

noun

a resolution or determination made, as to follow some course of action.

firmness of purpose or intent; determination.

Nearby words

Origin of resolve

1325–75; Middle English resolven (v.) < Latin resolvere to unfasten, loosen, release, equivalent to re- re- + solvere to loosen; see solve

SYNONYMS FOR resolve

1. confirm. 2. analyze, reduce. 17, 18. decision.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR resolve ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsre·solv·er, nounpre·re·solve, verb, pre·re·solved, pre·re·solv·ing.un·re·solv·ing, adjective

Synonym study

1. See decide.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for resolve

They were born in 51 countries and speak 59 foreign languages, but they seemed bound by a single purpose and resolve.
Cop Families Boo De Blasio at NYPD Graduation|Michael Daly|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is the will of the people; the resolve of the political class; the courage of the media; and the authority of the courts.
The U.S. Will Torture Again—and We’re All to Blame|Michael Tomasky|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The city may have learned something about resolve in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
From Ebola Country to NYC’s Subways|Michael Daly|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Modi has ordered his army commanders to strike back hard at the Line of Control to demonstrate Indian resolve.
ICYMI: India-Pakistan Head for Nuke War|Bruce Riedel|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I ask them how can they resolve that with what they are doing.
Our Trip to The Climate War's Ground Zero|Darren Aronofsky|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A resolve fixed itself at once in her heart; to greet her lover the instant he arrived.
The Daughter of a Magnate|Frank H. Spearman
When we were about to embark I suddenly thought of my little dog Stickeen and made the resolve to take him along.
Alaska Days with John Muir|Samuel Hall Young
You can command your words and thoughts if you will; resolve, therefore, on this duty.
A Christian Directory (Volume 1 of 4)|Richard Baxter
If they could only resolve upon such a course, and stick to it, don't you think they would receive more aid, material and moral?
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 3, April 16, 1870|Various
And in that resolve he was fortified by the loyal support of his wife.
Thomas Carlyle|Hector Carsewell Macpherson

British Dictionary definitions for resolve

resolve

verb (mainly tr)

(takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to decide or determine firmly

to express (an opinion) formally, esp (of a public meeting) one agreed by a vote

(also intr usually foll by into) to separate or cause to separate (into) (constituent parts or elements)

(usually reflexive) to change, alter, or appear to change or alterthe ghost resolved itself into a tree

to make up the mind of; cause to decidethe tempest resolved him to stay at home

to find the answer or solution to; solveto resolve a problem

to explain away or dispelto resolve a doubt

to bring to an end; concludeto resolve an argument

med to cause (a swelling or inflammation) to subside, esp without the formation of pus

(also intr) to follow (a dissonant note or chord) or (of a dissonant note or chord) to be followed by one producing a consonance

chem to separate (a racemic mixture) into its optically active constituents

physics

to distinguish between (separate parts) of (an image) as in a microscope, telescope, or other optical instrument
to separate (two adjacent peaks) in a spectrum by means of a spectrometer

maths to split (a vector) into its components in specified directions

an obsolete word for dissolve

noun

something determined or decided; resolutionhe had made a resolve to work all day

firmness of purpose; determinationnothing can break his resolve

Derived Formsresolver, noun

Word Origin for resolve

C14: from Latin resolvere to unfasten, reveal, from re- + solvere to loosen; see solve

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for resolve

resolve

late 14c., "melt, dissolve, reduce to liquid;" intransitive sense from c.1400; from Old French resolver or directly from Latin resolvere "to loosen, loose, unyoke, undo; explain; relax; set free; make void, dispel," from re-, perhaps intensive, or "back" (see re-), + solvere "loosen" (see solve). Early 15c. as "separate into components," hence the use in optics (1785). Meaning "determine, decide upon" is from 1520s, hence "pass a resolution" (1580s). For sense evolution, cf. resolute (adj.). Related: Resolved; resolving.

resolve

"determination, firmness or fixedness of purpose; a determination," 1590s, from resolve (v.).

Medicine definitions for resolve

resolve

[rĭ-zŏlv′]

v.

To cause resolution of an abnormal condition.

To separate an optically inactive compound or mixture into its optically active constituents.

To render parts of an image visible and distinct.

resolve

verb (used with object), re·solved, re·solv·ing.

verb (used without object), re·solved, re·solv·ing.

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of resolve

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for resolve

resolve

verb (mainly tr)

noun

Word Origin for resolve

resolve

resolve

resolve

v.