Resolve vs. Solve: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 29, 2023

Resolve is to decide or conclude through reasoning or determination. Solve is to find an answer or explanation through problem-solving.

Key Differences

"Resolve" typically involves making a decision or finding a conclusion, often related to personal or interpersonal issues. "Solve" is more about finding solutions to problems, usually practical or intellectual in nature.

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Dec 29, 2023

"Resolve" is often used in the context of personal determination or resolving interpersonal conflicts. "Solve" is more commonly used in the context of solving puzzles, mathematical problems, or technical issues.

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"Resolve" deals with broader issues, including resolutions to debates or intentions for future action. "Solve" is more specific, dealing with finding definitive answers to specific questions or problems.

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"Resolve" implies a decision-making process, which may include internal or emotional considerations. "Solve" refers to the process of problem-solving, which is more analytical and often involves logical reasoning.

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"Resolve" is often used in a more formal or serious context, dealing with resolutions and determinations. "Solve" is frequently used in everyday contexts, particularly in relation to practical or logical problems.

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Comparison Chart

Primary Use

Making decisions or conclusions

Finding answers to problems

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Context

Personal, emotional, or interpersonal

Practical, logical, technical

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Focus

Broader issues or intentions

Specific questions or challenges

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Process

Decision-making, often internal

Problem-solving, analytical

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Common Usage

Formal, serious matters

Everyday, practical issues

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Resolve and Solve Definitions

Resolve

Concluding Conflicts

They resolved their differences amicably.

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Solve

Resolving Problems

The engineer solved the technical issue.

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Resolve

Setting Intentions

He resolved to exercise daily.

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Solve

Finding Solutions

We need to solve this puzzle to advance.

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Resolve

To make a firm decision about

Resolved that I would do better next time.

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Solve

Overcoming Obstacles

They solved the logistical challenges.

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Resolve

To decide or express by formal vote

The legislature resolved that the official should be impeached.

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Solve

To find an answer to, explanation for, or way of dealing with (a problem, for example).

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Resolve

To cause (a person) to reach a decision

"He was resolved to enjoy the success he had earned" (F. Scott Fitzgerald).

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Solve

To solve an equation

Insert the values of the constants and solve for x.

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Resolve

To change or convert

My resentment resolved itself into resignation.

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Solve

To find an answer or solution to a problem or question; to work out.

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Resolve

To find a solution to; solve

Resolved the problem.

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Solve

To find out the perpetrator, the motive etc of crime

To solve a murder

To solve a crime

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Resolve

To remove or dispel (doubts).

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Solve

(mathematics) To find the values of variables that satisfy a system of equations and/or inequalities.

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Resolve

To bring to a usually successful conclusion

Resolve a conflict.

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Solve

(mathematics) To algebraically manipulate an equation or inequality into a form that isolates a chosen variable on one side, so that the other side consists of an expression that may be used to generate solutions.

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Resolve

(Medicine) To cause reduction of (an inflammation, for example).

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Solve

(transitive) To loosen or separate the parts of.

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Resolve

(Music) To cause (a tone or chord) to progress from dissonance to consonance.

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Solve

A solution; an explanation.

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Resolve

(Chemistry) To separate (an optically inactive compound or mixture) into its optically active constituents.

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Solve

To explain; to resolve; to unfold; to clear up (what is obscure or difficult to be understood); to work out to a result or conclusion; as, to solve a doubt; to solve difficulties; to solve a problem.

True piety would effectually solve such scruples.

God shall solve the dark decrees of fate.

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Resolve

To render parts of (an image) visible and distinct.

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Solve

A solution; an explanation.

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Resolve

(Mathematics) To separate (a vector, for example) into coordinate components.

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Solve

Find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of;

Did you solve the problem?

Work out your problems with the boss

This unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself out

Did you get it?

Did you get my meaning?

He could not work the math problem

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Resolve

(Archaic) To separate (something) into constituent parts.

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Solve

Find the solution;

Solve an equation

Solve for x

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Resolve

(Obsolete) To cause (something) to melt or dissolve

"O, that this too too solid flesh would melt / Thaw and resolve itself into a dew!" (Shakespeare).

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Solve

Settle, as of a debt;

Clear a debt

Solve an old debt

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Resolve

To reach a decision or make a determination

Resolve on a course of action.

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Solve

Answering Questions

She solved the complex math problem.

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Resolve

To become separated or reduced to constituents.

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Solve

Addressing Challenges

The detective solved the case.

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Resolve

(Music) To undergo resolution.

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Resolve

Firmness of purpose; resolution

"my fierce, indignant resolve to visit those sun-kissed islands" (Caitlin Flanagan).

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Resolve

A determination or decision; a fixed purpose

"She had come to a resolve to undertake outdoor work in her native village" (Thomas Hardy).

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Resolve

A formal resolution made by a deliberative body.

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Resolve

(transitive) To find a solution to (a problem).

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Resolve

(transitive) To reduce to simple or intelligible notions; to make clear or certain; to unravel; to explain.

To resolve a riddle

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Resolve

(intransitive) To make a firm decision to do something.

I resolve to finish this work before I go home.

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Resolve

(transitive) To determine or decide in purpose; to make ready in mind; to fix; to settle.

He was resolved by an unexpected event.

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Resolve

To come to an agreement or make peace; patch up relationship, settle differences, bury the hatchet.

After two weeks of bickering, they finally resolved their differences.

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Resolve

To break down into constituent parts; to decompose; to disintegrate; to return to a simpler constitution or a primeval state.

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Resolve

To cause to perceive or understand; to acquaint; to inform; to convince; to assure; to make certain.

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Resolve

(music) To cause a chord to go from dissonance to consonance.

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Resolve

(optics) To render visible or distinguishable the parts of something.

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Resolve

(computing) To find the IP address of a hostname, or the entity referred to by a symbol in source code; to look up.

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Resolve

To melt; to dissolve; to liquefy or soften (a solid).

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Resolve

To melt; to dissolve; to become liquid.

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Resolve

To liquefy (a gas or vapour).

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Resolve

To disperse or scatter; to discuss, as an inflammation or a tumour.

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Resolve

(obsolete) To relax; to lay at ease.

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Resolve

(chemistry) To separate racemic compounds into their enantiomers.

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Resolve

To solve (an equation, etc.).

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Resolve

(uncountable) Determination; will power.

It took all my resolve to go through with the surgery.

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Resolve

(countable) A determination to do something; a fixed decision.

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Resolve

(countable) An act of resolving something; resolution.

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Resolve

To separate the component parts of; to reduce to the constituent elements; - said of compound substances; hence, sometimes, to melt, or dissolve.

O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!

Ye immortal souls, who once were men,And now resolved to elements again.

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Resolve

To reduce to simple or intelligible notions; - said of complex ideas or obscure questions; to make clear or certain; to free from doubt; to disentangle; to unravel; to explain; hence, to clear up, or dispel, as doubt; as, to resolve a riddle.

To the resolving whereof we must first know that the Jews were commanded to divorce an unbelieving Gentile.

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Resolve

To cause to perceive or understand; to acquaint; to inform; to convince; to assure; to make certain.

Sir, be resolved. I must and will come.

Resolve me, Reason, which of these is worse,Want with a full, or with an empty purse?

In health, good air, pleasure, riches, I am resolved it can not be equaled by any region.

We must be resolved how the law can be pure and perspicuous, and yet throw a polluted skirt over these Eleusinian mysteries.

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Resolve

To determine or decide in purpose; to make ready in mind; to fix; to settle; as, he was resolved by an unexpected event.

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Resolve

To express, as an opinion or determination, by resolution and vote; to declare or decide by a formal vote; - followed by a clause; as, the house resolved (or, it was resolved by the house) that no money should be apropriated (or, to appropriate no money).

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Resolve

To change or convert by resolution or formal vote; - used only reflexively; as, the house resolved itself into a committee of the whole.

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Resolve

To solve, as a problem, by enumerating the several things to be done, in order to obtain what is required; to find the answer to, or the result of.

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Resolve

To dispere or scatter; to discuss, as an inflammation or a tumor.

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Resolve

To let the tones (as of a discord) follow their several tendencies, resulting in a concord.

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Resolve

To relax; to lay at ease.

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Resolve

To be separated into its component parts or distinct principles; to undergo resolution.

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Resolve

To melt; to dissolve; to become fluid.

When the blood stagnates in any part, it first coagulates, then resolves, and turns alkaline.

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Resolve

To be settled in opinion; to be convinced.

Let men resolve of that as they plaease.

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Resolve

To form a purpose; to make a decision; especially, to determine after reflection; as, to resolve on a better course of life.

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Resolve

The act of resolving or making clear; resolution; solution.

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Resolve

That which has been resolved on or determined; decisive conclusion; fixed purpose; determination; also, legal or official determination; a legislative declaration; a resolution.

Nor is your firm resolve unknown.

Cæsar's approach has summoned us together,And Rome attends her fate from our resolves.

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Resolve

The trait of being resolute; firmness of purpose;

His resoluteness carried him through the battle

It was his unshakeable resolution to finish the work

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Resolve

A formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote

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Resolve

Bring to an end; settle conclusively;

The case was decided

The judge decided the case in favor of the plaintiff

The father adjudicated when the sons were quarreling over their inheritance

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Resolve

Reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation

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Resolve

Reach a decision;

He resolved never to drink again

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Resolve

Understand the meaning of;

The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered

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Resolve

Make clearly visible;

Can this image be resolved?

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Resolve

Find the solution;

Solve an equation

Solve for x

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Resolve

Cause to go into a solution;

The recipe says that we should dissolve a cup of sugar in two cups of water

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Resolve

Determination

She showed great resolve in pursuing her goals.

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Resolve

Decision-Making

The committee will resolve the issue tomorrow.

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Resolve

Ending Uncertainty

The mystery was finally resolved.

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Repeatedly Asked Queries

Is resolve more emotional than solve?

Often, as it involves decision-making.

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Is solve always practical?

Mostly, especially in problem-solving contexts.

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Can resolve be used in business?

Yes, for decision-making or conflict resolution.

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Is solving a puzzle the same as resolving it?

Solve is more appropriate for puzzles.

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Is solve used in mathematics?

Frequently, for finding solutions to equations.

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Does resolve imply a longer process?

It can, especially in personal matters.

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Is resolve often used in resolutions?

Yes, particularly in formal statements.

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Can you solve a personal conflict?

Yes, but resolving is more common terminology.

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Can resolve refer to inner determination?

Yes, it often does.

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Do scientists solve or resolve hypotheses?

They solve them through experimentation.

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Can a mystery be resolved or solved?

Both, but solved is more common.

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Can resolve be an internal process?

Yes, it often involves internal deliberation.

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Is resolve linked to resolution?

Yes, in the sense of concluding or deciding.

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Can solve be used in interpersonal contexts?

Less commonly than resolve.

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Is it correct to say 'resolve a math problem'?

Usually, 'solve' is more appropriate.

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Does solving require analytical skills?

Generally, especially in technical contexts.

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Can businesses solve conflicts?

Yes, but resolving is more comprehensive.

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Is resolve more about the journey or outcome?

Often the journey or decision-making.

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Does solve imply a clear answer?

Typically, it involves finding a definitive solution.

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Can you resolve a technical issue?

Yes, but solving is more typical.

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Dec 29, 2023

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About Author

Written by

Shumaila Saeed

Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.