Sample Sentences for
resolve
grouped by contextual meaning
(editor-reviewed)

resolve as in:  I resolved to stop drinking.

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This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.
resolved = decided
Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
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    I resolved to never drink again.
    resolved = firmly decided
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    I resolved never again to raise my voice at anyone who might be physically intimidated by me.
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    Lying tense beside Judith, she made a resolve.  (source)
    resolve = decision
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Show 10 more with 5 word variations
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    Relaxed and unhurried, he resolved that he would walk through the narrow streets of Tangier.  (source)
    resolved = decided
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    I grit my teeth and turn toward the target, resolving to at least stand still.  (source)
    resolving = definitely deciding
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    I resolve to lie on the bed without eating, drinking, or taking my medications.  (source)
    resolve = decide; or decision
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    He always had some resolves like this or something.  (source)
    resolves = firm decisions
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    Of that and all the progress, more and less, Resolvedly more leisure shall express: All yet seems well; and if it end so meet, The bitter past, more welcome is the sweet.†  (source)
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    I resolved to make the best of my rather dubious position.  (source)
    resolved = decided
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    But as fast as I would repent, resolving never again to hate, some demon would slip into my soul, tug at the corner, and...  (source)
    resolving = definitely deciding
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    "Soon's school starts I'm gonna ask Walter home to dinner," I planned, having forgotten my private resolve to beat him up the next time I saw him.  (source)
    resolve = decision
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    I look up, and the peculiar impression of faces I'd gotten when I first walked in resolves itself.†  (source)
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    I resolved then and there not to speak again until I could find Moshe and talk to him privately.  (source)
    resolved = firmly decided
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resolve as in:  This committee hereby resolves...

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The Security Council resolved that all parties should work together for the successful implementation of the National Peace Accords.
resolved = voiced an opinion by formal group vote
Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
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    The Security Council resolved that Israel should withdraw.
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    We the Committee for Social Justice do hereby resolve that whereas oppression of...
    resolve = voice a decision or opinion by formal group vote
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    The council resolved that the ANC would hold demonstrations on April 6, 1952, as a prelude to the launching of the Campaign for the Defiance of Unjust Laws.  (source)
    resolved = formally decided
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Show 7 more with 2 word variations
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    So a high-caste council resolved to take revenge on a sixteen-year-old-girl, Saima, who was a cousin of the young man.  (source)
    resolved = formally decided
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    ...I propose to you on the part of the United Aggregate Tribunal, ever watchful for your welfare, ever zealous for your benefit, that this meeting does Resolve: That Stephen Blackpool, weaver, referred to in this placard, having been already solemnly disowned by the community of Coketown Hands, the same are free from the shame of his misdeeds, and...  (source)
    Resolve = voice an opinion by formal vote
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    In Philadelphia, Congress resolved that in the event General Washington found it necessary to withdraw from New York, there must be "no damage" done to the city, as Washington was informed in a letter from John Hancock.  (source)
    resolved = formally decided
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    ...with a noble and majestic unanimity that will make Tyrants tremble, resolve for to subscribe to the funds of the United Aggregate Tribunal, and to abide by the injunctions issued by that body for your benefit, whatever they may be…  (source)
    resolve = make a decision by formal vote
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    Supported by the SAIC and the APO, the ANC resolved to stage a National Day of Protest on June 26, 1950, against the government's murder of eighteen Africans on May 1 and the passage of the Suppression of Communism Act.  (source)
    resolved = formally decided
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    This council had a general authority to propose and resolve whatever it judged necessary for the common welfare of Greece; to declare and carry on war; to decide, in the last resort, all controversies between the members; to fine the aggressing party; to employ the whole force of the confederacy against the disobedient; to admit new members.  (source)
    resolve = make a decision by formal vote
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    Resolved, That in the opinion of Congress it is expedient, that on the second Monday of May next a convention of delegates, who shall have been appointed by the several States, be held at Philadelphia, for the sole and express purpose OF REVISING THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION, and...  (source)
    Resolved = decide by formal vote
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resolve as in:  Her resolve weakened.

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She never waivered in her resolve to attend a good college.
resolve = determination (firmness of purpose)
Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
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    She is testing my resolve to keep a good attitude.
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    Russia is again testing NATO's resolve in Eastern Europe.
    resolve = firmness of purpose
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    The sight seemed to stiffen his resolve, and he nodded.  (source)
    resolve = determination (firmness of purpose)
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Show 10 more with 2 word variations
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    In March, however, he mustered his resolve once more and resumed his lonely trek.  (source)
    resolve = determination
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    Each time she did, we set our faces into looks of great seriousness, resolved that we would be adult about the matter and not gloat in our hour of victory.  (source)
    resolved = determined (having firm purpose)
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    My mother hugs me, and what little resolve I have left almost breaks.  (source)
    resolve = firmness of purpose
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    I had been so resolved to fight back, but I knew then that I wouldn't. To suffer quietly hurt only you. To suffer angrily—to fight back—was to bring hurt and pain and death to others.  (source)
    resolved = determined (firm in purpose)
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    The hands were gone from Papa's face now and he found the resolve to speak again.  (source)
    resolve = firmness of purpose
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    HALE, resolved now: Tituba, I want you to wake this child.  (source)
    resolved = determined (having firm purpose)
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    His resolve was crumbling all around him.  (source)
    resolve = firmness of purpose (to do something)
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    He had the same resolved look on his face as the day he'd dropped the stack of food stamps on Mrs. Dobbins's desk.  (source)
    resolved = determined (having firm purpose)
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    Where this sudden courage and resolve came from, he had no idea.  (source)
    resolve = determination
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    She dreaded seeing Mr. Wickham again, and was resolved to avoid it as long as possible.  (source)
    resolved = determined (having firm purpose or having firmly decided)
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resolve as in:  How was the problem resolved?

Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
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    This feud will never be resolved with violence.
    resolved = settled or solved
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    How can we resolve our disagreement without violence or lawyers?
    resolve = solve or settle
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    Sinus infections tend to resolve themselves over time.
    resolve = solve (take care of)
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Show 10 more with 9 word variations
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    I want this Costa Rican situation resolved within a week.  (source)
    resolved = settled or solved
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    Lots of, uh, unresolved issues on my side.  (source)
    unresolved = not settled or solved
    standard prefix: The prefix "un-" in unresolved means not and reverses the meaning of resolved. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
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    Lily's feelings were always straightforward, fairly simple, usually easy to resolve.  (source)
    resolve = solve or settle
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    Whatever problems we may have with each other, we prefer resolving our differences one-on-one.  (source)
    resolving = settled
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    As may be thought, the task called for patience, skill, zeal, faith, and devotion on his part—qualities into which the power of inspiring others in matters of difficulty is always resolvable; and never man possessed them in greater degree or used them to better effect.†  (source)
    standard suffix: The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable.
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    A man might easily be embittered by such circumstances, but Nels made it a point not to struggle unnecessarily with life's unresolvable dilemmas.†  (source)
    standard prefix: The prefix "un-" in unresolvable means not and reverses the meaning of resolvable. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
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    They all agreed that such a principle existed but their disagreements as to what it was seemed irresolvable.†  (source)
    standard prefix: The prefix "ir-" in irresolvable means not and reverses the meaning of resolvable. This prefix is sometimes used before words beginning with "R" as seen in words like irrational, irregular, and irresistible.
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    You may be certain, I was strangely surprised at this question of my man's: and, though an old man, I was but a young doctor, and consequently very ill qualified for a causuist, or a resolver of intricate doubts in religion, and...  (source)
    resolver = solver (someone who provides a solution or who settles something)
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    She said; and straight her arms, of snowy hue, About her unresolving husband threw.†  (source)
    standard prefix: The prefix "un-" in unresolving means not and reverses the meaning of resolving. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
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    In the meantime, the Dussel drama has been resolved.  (source)
    resolved = settled
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meaning too rare to warrant focus

Show 2 with this contextual meaning
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    Then the laugh becomes a rattle that resolves into a long, slow exhale.  (source)
    resolves = turns into
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    He feels a wave of panic surge through him, one that resolves into a knot deep in his gut.  (source)
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