resolve

Sayri-ZOLV/ɹɪˈzɑlv/UK/ɹɪˈzɒlv/

Noun pluralresolves (some meanings)

21 meanings of resolve

1
verbtransitive
To find a way to fix a problem or end an argument.
Like untying a tight knot until the rope hangs loose again.
They finally resolved the dispute after weeks of talking.
We need to resolve this issue before the deadline.
Similarsolve, settle, fix, remedy, rectify
2
verbintransitive
To decide firmly that you will do something.
Like making a promise to yourself that you really mean to keep.
Many people resolve to exercise more at the start of the year.
She resolved to never give up on her dream.
Similardecide, determine, vow, pledge, undertake
3
verbtransitive
To make peace and settle a disagreement with someone.
Like two people shaking hands after a long argument.
The neighbors resolved their long feud over the fence.
Both teams want to resolve the conflict peacefully.
Similarsettle, reconcile, end
4
noununcountable
Strong willpower that pushes you to keep trying toward a goal.
Like a strong wall that stays standing no matter how hard the wind blows.
Her resolve never weakened, even when things got hard.
It takes real resolve to quit a bad habit.
Similardetermination, resolution, willpower, tenacity, grit
Oppositeindecision, irresolution, weakness, hesitancy
Note
5
nouncountable
A firm choice to do a certain thing.
Like a plan you decide to follow no matter what happens.
She made a resolve to save money each month.
His New Year resolve was to read more books.
Similarresolution, intention, decision, commitment, vow
Note
6
verbtransitive
To decide something firmly and settle it in your mind.
Like making up your mind for good and not changing it.
The assembly resolved the question by a unanimous vote.
She needs to resolve the matter before she can move on.
Similardecide, settle, determine, fix, finalize
Note
7
verbtransitive
To make someone feel sure about something by clearing up their doubts.
Like a friend explaining something until your worry goes away.
Please resolve me of my doubts before I decide.
A few kind words resolved her of all her worries.
Similarinform, assure, convince, satisfy, enlighten
Note
8
verbtransitive
To break something down into simpler parts so it is easy to understand.
Like breaking a big puzzle into small pieces that are easy to see.
The teacher resolved the hard idea into a few simple steps.
A good diagram can resolve a complex process into clear stages.
Similarreduce, analyze, dissect, unravel, clarify
Note
9
nouncountable
An act of solving or settling something.
Like the moment a tangled knot finally comes undone.
We hoped for a fast resolve to the standoff.
The quick resolve of the long argument surprised everyone.
Similarresolution, settlement, solution
Note
10
verbtransitive
To look up the address or item that a name stands for on a computer network.
Like looking up a friend's home using only their name in a phone book.
The browser could not resolve the website name.
The system resolved the address in less than a second.
Similarmap, translate
Note

11
verbtransitive
To show the separate parts of something clearly, as through a lens or telescope.
Like moving closer until two blurry dots become two clear, separate shapes.
A good telescope can resolve the rings of Saturn.
The microscope resolved tiny details on the cell wall.
Similardistinguish, separate, discern, differentiate
Oppositeblur
Note
12
verbtransitive or intransitive
To move a chord from a tense sound to a calm, settled one.
Like a question finally getting a clear answer.
Let the music resolve before you start the next part.
The song's last chord resolves into a calm, happy sound.
Note
13
verbreflexivetransitive or intransitive
To break something down into its smaller parts, or to fall apart into them.
Like a sandcastle slowly crumbling back into loose sand.
Heat can resolve the mixture into its basic parts.
Over time, the old fabric resolved into dust.
Similardecompose, separate, reduce, disintegrate, dissolve
Note
14
verbtransitive
To separate a mix of mirror-image molecules into its two separate kinds.
Like sorting a pile of left and right gloves into two piles.
Scientists can resolve the mixture into its two mirror-image forms.
The team resolved the blend into its left- and right-handed forms.
Similarseparate
Note
15
verbdatedtransitive
To make a swelling or inflammation slowly go away.
Like a bruise that slowly fades until it is gone.
The doctor hoped the warm compress would resolve the swelling.
The inflammation resolved after a week of rest.
Similardisperse, dissipate, reduce, clear
Note
16
verbraretransitive
To heat a solid until it turns soft or becomes liquid.
Like an ice cube turning into water on a warm day.
The blacksmith used great heat to resolve the metal into liquid.
With milke-white Hartes vpon an Iuorie ſled, / Thou ſhalt be drawen amidſt the froſen Pooles, / And ſcale the yſie mountaines lofty tops: / Which with thy beautie will be soone reſolu’d.
c. 1587, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. The First PartHere, resolu'd means melted, so the ice turns soft and liquid.
Similarmelt, dissolve, liquefy, soften
Oppositesolidify, harden
Note
17
verbrareintransitivereflexive
To turn from a solid into a liquid by melting.
Like snow melting into puddles when spring arrives.
The ice will resolve into water once the sun comes out.
When the blood stagnates in any part, it first coagulates, then resolves, and turns alkaline.
1731, John Arbuthnot, An Essay Concerning the Nature of AlimentsHere, resolves means melts or turns back into a liquid.
Similarmelt, dissolve, liquefy, thaw
Oppositesolidify, freeze
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18
verbarchaictransitive
To find the answer to an equation or math problem.
Like solving a puzzle until every piece fits.
The student worked all night to resolve the difficult equation.
She quickly resolved the equation and wrote down the answer.
Note
19
verbobsoletetransitive
To turn a gas or vapor into a liquid.
Like breath turning into water drops on a cold window.
Great cold can resolve steam into tiny drops of water.
The cold glass resolved the vapor into beads of moisture.
Note
20
verbobsolete
To rest and lie back in a calm, easy way.
Note
21
Sayree-SOLVUS/ˌɹiˈsɑlv/UK/ˌɹiːˈsɒlv/
verb
Alternative spelling of re-solve. It means to solve again. Write re-solve to avoid confusion with resolve.
We had to resolve the puzzle after the answers were erased.
The teacher asked us to resolve the problem a different way.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin resolvō, meaning "to loosen, thaw, or melt," made from re- plus solve. It came into English through Old French and Middle English.