resolved

Meanings

1. 1adjectiveafter a verbformal

   Firmly decided to do something and determined not to give up.

   Grammar: Usually followed by to plus a verb: resolved to win.

   Patterns

   • resolved to do something

   She was resolved to finish the marathon despite the pain.

   He remained resolved to tell the truth.

   The team is resolved to improve next season.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   Settled or solved, as a problem, dispute or question.

   Grammar: Can come before a noun or follow a verb: a resolved issue; the matter is resolved.

   Patterns

   • a resolved issue
   • get something resolved

   The billing error is now resolved.

   They hoped to see the dispute resolved by Friday.

   The ticket was marked resolved by support.

Common combinations

firmly resolved

He was firmly resolved to leave the city.

resolved to

I am resolved to learn Spanish this year.

issue is resolved

The issue is resolved and the system works again.

fully resolved

The conflict is not yet fully resolved.

remain unresolved

The question may remain unresolved for years.

Synonyms and how they differ

determined

Determined is more common in everyday speech and stresses stubborn effort, whereas resolved sounds calm and formal.

decided

Decided only says a choice was made, but resolved implies a firm commitment to it.

settled

Settled is used for problems or arguments being ended, and is a good fit for the second sense.

solved

Solved is used for puzzles and problems with answers, while resolved also fits disputes.

Opposites

Word family

resolve verb

to settle a problem or decide firmly

resolution noun

a firm decision or a solution

resolutely adverb

in a firm, determined way

unresolved adjective

not yet settled

Commonly confused: resolved or resolute?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “resolved”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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