resolve

American  

[ri-zolv] / rɪˈzɒlv /

verb (used with object)

resolved, resolving

1. 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

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

   Synonyms:

   reduce, analyze

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

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

5. to reduce by mental analysis (often followed byinto ).

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

7. to deal with (a question, a matter of uncertainty, etc.) conclusively; settle; solve.

   to resolve the question before the board.

8. to clear away or dispel (doubts, fears, etc.); answer.

   to resolve any doubts we may have had.

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

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

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

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

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verb (used without object)

resolved, resolving

1. to come to a determination; make up one's mind; determine (often followed by on orupon ).

   to resolve on a plan of action.

2. to break up or disintegrate.

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

4. Music. to progress from a dissonance to a consonance.

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   decision

2. firmness of purpose or intent; determination.

resolve British  

/ rɪˈzɒlv /

verb

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

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

3. to separate or cause to separate (into) (constituent parts or elements)

4. (usually reflexive) to change, alter, or appear to change or alter

   the ghost resolved itself into a tree

5. to make up the mind of; cause to decide

   the tempest resolved him to stay at home

6. to find the answer or solution to; solve

   to resolve a problem

7. to explain away or dispel

   to resolve a doubt

8. to bring to an end; conclude

   to resolve an argument

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

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

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

12. physics

    1. to distinguish between (separate parts) of (an image) as in a microscope, telescope, or other optical instrument

    2. to separate (two adjacent peaks) in a spectrum by means of a spectrometer

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

14. an obsolete word for dissolve

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noun

1. something determined or decided; resolution

   he had made a resolve to work all day

2. 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

Explanation

To resolve is to settle or make a decision about something — often formal. A college's board of directors might resolve to recruit more minority students. As a noun, resolve refers to a strong determination to do something. If you make a New Year's resolution to exercise every day, you'll need plenty of resolve to stick with your program. The verb descends from Middle English resolven "to dissolve," from Latin resolvere "to untie." In English, the obsolete sense of "to dissolve" can be seen in this line from Shakespeare: "O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew."

Example Sentences

When disputes arise, UMA token holders debate how to resolve them on the social-media platform Discord, sharing links to support their arguments.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

The jury must first resolve a threshold issue: whether Musk, who filed suit in 2024 -- four years after his last contribution -- did so within the statutory time limit.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

City officials said this year’s cancellation was due to unresolved safety and permitting issues, while organizers with Long Beach Pride, the nonprofit that organizes the festival, say they worked in good faith to resolve them.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026

Still, experts caution that a name change alone will not resolve long-standing gaps in research funding, clinical training or access to care.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

Natalie looked back at the advancing eye wall, and her fear turned to resolve.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Related Words

• agree
• answer
• clear up
• conclude
• decide
• determine
• fix
• iron out
• propose
• settle
• solve
• undertake
• work out