resolve

Meaning

Verb

1. (transitive) To find a solution to (a problem).
2. (transitive) To reduce to simple or intelligible notions; to make clear or certain; to unravel; to explain.
3. (intransitive) To make a firm decision to do something. To become determined to reach a certain goal or take a certain action.
4. (transitive) To determine or decide in purpose; to make ready in mind; to fix; to settle.
5. To come to an agreement or make peace; patch up relationship, settle differences, bury the hatchet.
6. (intransitive, reflexive, transitive) To break down into constituent parts; to decompose; to disintegrate; to return to a simpler constitution or a primeval state.
7. To cause to perceive or understand; to acquaint; to inform; to convince; to assure; to make certain.
8. To cause a chord to go from dissonance to consonance.
9. To render visible or distinguishable the parts of something.
10. To find the IP address of a hostname, or the entity referred to by a symbol in source code; to look up.
11. (rare, transitive) To melt; to dissolve; to liquefy or soften (a solid).
12. (intransitive, rare, reflexive) To melt; to dissolve; to become liquid.
13. (obsolete, transitive) To liquefy (a gas or vapour).
14. (dated) To disperse or scatter; to discuss, as an inflammation or a tumour.
15. (obsolete) To relax; to lie at ease.
16. To separate racemic compounds into their enantiomers.
17. (archaic, transitive) To solve (an equation, etc.).

Noun

1. (uncountable) Determination; will power.
2. (countable) A determination to do something; a fixed decision.
3. (countable) An act of resolving something; resolution.

Synonyms

decide

determine

settle

solve

resolution

determination

conclude

answer

rule

make a decision

dissolve

decision

make up one’s mind

firmness

adjudicate

purpose

intend

figure out

resoluteness

set

unravel

untie

choose

break up

ascertain

separate

fix

intention

disentangle

explain

clear up

will

firmness of purpose

clean up

sort out

agree

spirit

decipher

terminate

promise

analyze

break

make out

analyse

break down

cut

know

puzzle out

end

🔚

ambition

Translations

résoudre

resolver

risolvere

resolver

décider

beschließen

decidir

decidir

resolución

decidere

oplossen

beslissen

besluiten

resoldre

entscheiden

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɹɪˈzɒlv/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: resolven

In summary

From Middle English resolven, from Old French resolver, a learned borrowing of Latin resolvō (“loosen, thaw, melt, resolve”), equivalent to re- + solve. Piecewise doublet of re-solve.

Sentences

Judge Clark found this disagreement difficult to resolve .

The diminished seventh contains two diminished fifths , which often resolve inwards .