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 Larger and higher-resolution displays can also give users more space to organize information, helping reduce unnecessary switching between windows and applications. — George Toh, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 The Sentinel-2 pair observe and capture imagery of our planet in different wavelengths using a high-resolution multispectral imager that can see 13 different spectral bands, or ranges of wavelengths. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026 That could further complicate the possibility of a lasting resolution to the end of the Mideast war. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026 Even their screen resolutions and sizes are close, save for the larger Lenovo model. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resolution

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resolution

Noun

The show’s creative team was able to concentrate on making the series itself rather than second-guessing every decision to appeal to the international market.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
The review describes cognitive and behavioral consequences that can include impairments in working memory, decision making and emotional regulation.

— Shahrzad Jalali, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of decision

Noun

But Carney’s resolve is being tested on more than one front, after the separatist Parti Québécois won Quebec's provincial election earlier this month.

— Callum Sutherland, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Ukraine is warning that Russia is escalating that strategy this winter to break Ukraine’s resolve in its defense.

— Laura Kelly, The Hill, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of resolve

Noun

One of Bilton and Weiss’s signature new on-air hires is the conservative writer Ross Douthat, formerly an opinion columnist for the Times.

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
Much of its work, particularly on national security matters, remains shielded from public view, but some of the office’s conclusions have emerged in often dense legal opinions.

— Perry Stein, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of opinion

Noun

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
The window to capitalize on these moves is narrow, demanding precision and decisiveness.

— David Capablanca, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of resolution

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