resolve

[ ri-zolv ]

/ rɪˈzɒlv /

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See synonyms for: resolve / resolved / resolving 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR resolve

1 confirm.

2 analyze, reduce.

17 decision.

See synonyms for resolve on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of resolve

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

OTHER WORDS FROM resolve

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use resolve in a sentence

It’s been difficult to build a brand from the ground up and not really have a mentor, but our resolve is that we just don’t quit.
Let’s Talk About Kevin|Eugene Robinson|January 23, 2021|Ozy
Google recently announced a $10 billion investment in India, a sign of its resolve to expand globally.
Where Google is placing its bets in 2021|Adam Dorfman|December 4, 2020|Search Engine Land
Over the past few months, there have been just enough examples of leagues showing the resolve and creativity to survive, to complete seasons and crown champions.
Sports were a distraction from the pandemic. Now they’re being battered by it.|Jerry Brewer|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
The timing — on the eve of Singles’ Day — the forcefulness and the resolve to remake the tech giants is startling.
China’s clampdown on Internet industry has cost tech giants $200 billion|Claire Zillman, reporter|November 11, 2020|Fortune

T no tienes dos dedos de frente, Remedios; cuando quieres resolver un problema grave, sales con tales patochadas.
Doa Perfecta|Benito Prez Galds

British Dictionary definitions for resolve

resolve

/ (rɪˈzɒlv) /

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 forms of resolve

resolver, 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

resolve

OTHER WORDS FOR resolve

Origin of resolve

OTHER WORDS FROM resolve

Words related to resolve

How to use resolve in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for resolve

Derived forms of resolve

Word Origin for resolve