RESOLUTION Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'resolution' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of resolution are courage , mettle , spirit , and tenacity . While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends. // the resolution of pioneer women

Q: When might 'courage' be a better fit than 'resolution'?

The words courage and resolution are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty. // the courage to support unpopular causes

Q: When can 'mettle' be used instead of 'resolution'?

While in some cases nearly identical to resolution , mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience. // a challenge that will test your mettle

Q: When is 'spirit' a more appropriate choice than 'resolution'?

The synonyms spirit and resolution are sometimes interchangeable, but spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened. // her spirit was unbroken by failure

Q: How are the words 'tenacity' and 'resolution' related?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat. // held to their beliefs with great tenacity

resolution

noun

ˌre-zə-ˈlü-shən

Definition of resolution

as in decision

a position arrived at after consideration her resolution to become a vegetarian is based on what she recently learned about modern farming practices

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as in resolve

firm or unwavering adherence to one's purpose that athlete's resolution to win is amazing

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How is the word resolution distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of resolution are courage, mettle, spirit, and tenacity. While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

When might courage be a better fit than resolution?

The words courage and resolution are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

When can mettle be used instead of resolution?

While in some cases nearly identical to resolution, mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

When is spirit a more appropriate choice than resolution?

The synonyms spirit and resolution are sometimes interchangeable, but spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

How are the words tenacity and resolution related?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of resolution For that, the Halifax researchers rely on a high-resolution computer model. — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 Parliament convened an emergency session on Sunday and was expected to approve the resolution on Tuesday, but the vote was postponed until next Monday. — Ahmed Shawkat, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 Her life — not to mention Trip’s life, though Keery is squirreled away at the back of the stage during the climax — is rewritten in the show’s last 15 minutes, as new trauma is sold to us as resolution of the old. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026 El Salvador has historically supported the anti-embargo resolution. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resolution

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolution

Noun

According to reporting by Semafor on Monday, the decision came after Wall Street executives privately raised safety concerns about attending the event with the event’s organizers, including Saudi sovereign fund PIF’s governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Prince Harry is opening up about his and wife Meghan Markle’s unexpected decision earlier this year to move back to the United Kingdom years after their dramatic fallout with the British royal family.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of decision

Noun

Heidi Levine, the Washington Post journalist brutally attacked by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank last week, said the terrifying ordeal has only strengthened her resolve to continue covering the plight of Palestinians.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Rewarding President Vladimir Putin of Russia could encourage him to test NATO’s resolve in the Baltic states, Poland, Finland, or Sweden, raising the risk of a direct confrontation with the alliance.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of resolve

Noun

Juries returned a verdict of death for Paige Lawyer, Christopher Turner and Jason Thornburg.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Brown pushed back on the idea that the survey’s lower well-being measures amount to a negative Gaston County verdict.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of verdict

Noun

Sandy’s medical expenses were submitted to Kaiser for possible reimbursement; a determination remains pending.

— Lance B. Fulford, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
The federal government will then issue its final determinations, and what happens next will be unexplored legal territory.

— Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of determination

Noun

The November election won't settle the tension between firearm freedoms and restrictions, but ballot questions in the two states will provide a gauge of public opinion.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
The November election won't settle the tension between firearm freedoms and restrictions, but the ballot questions will provide a gauge of public opinion.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of opinion

Noun

Jones flashed his decisiveness and speed on the ensuing play, gaining 14 yards on a quarterback keeper.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
While Whitman has no grocery experience and little retail experience (from her time as CEO of eBay), she was brought in by Albertsons for her turnaround chops and decisiveness.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of decisiveness

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resoluteness

resolution

resolutions

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“Resolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resolution. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of resolution

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