unresolved
Britishadjective
Explanation
The word unresolved may describe an argument that has not been solved, a question that remains unanswered, or a decision that has not been made — like the title of "Checkers Champion" after a tie game. The word unresolved is used for a situation that lacks a resolution, or ending. It can also describe unaddressed emotions, such as anger or sadness, as in the unresolved issues you have toward your hamster ever since it bit your finger. The word unresolved can also be used to describe musical dissonance — if you hear a chord in a symphony that makes you think the song isn’t over, the chord is probably unresolved.
Vocabulary lists containing unresolved
The Blood of Olympus
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"The American Pageant," Vocabulary from Chapters 36-37
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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.
Whether bipartisan election agencies fall into the first category, the second, or some yet-undefined exception remains unresolved.
From Salon • Jul. 11, 2026
"This decision is based on Wimbledon's commitment to return with specific proposals... The underlying matters remain unresolved and players will carefully evaluate the proposals once received," the statement said.
From Barron's • Jun. 29, 2026
Even with the agreement, many of the details surrounding taxpayer services during the Olympics and Paralympics will remain unresolved for at least a year.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2026
Questions about accountability are often about what isn't talked about - and there are still unresolved issues about royals and property.
From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026
Also unresolved is the question whether Clovis hunters really were the first Americans.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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.
