resolution
rez-uh-LOO-shun
/ˌrezəˈluːʃən/
A firm decision to do or not to do something; the action of solving a problem or dispute.
In conflict, resolution is the final 'untying' of the knot—the point where the problem is solved.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'resolvere', meaning 'to untie' or 'to loosen'. Think of a conflict as a tangled knot; a resolution is the act of loosening that knot until it disappears.
Word relationships
- settlement: A settlement usually involves a formal agreement or payment; a resolution is the broader state of the problem being solved.
- deadlock: A deadlock is a situation where no progress can be made, the opposite of a resolution.
Commonly confused with
- solution: A solution is the answer to a puzzle; a resolution is the settling of a conflict or internal struggle.
Word family
- resolve (verb): To settle or find a solution to a problem.
- resolute (adjective): Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.
Collocations
- conflict resolution
- reach a resolution
- pass a resolution
Example sentences
- "The UN passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the region." International relations
- "After hours of talking, they finally reached a resolution that satisfied both parties." Personal conflict
Memory hook
Resolution: You 're-solve' the problem until it's gone. Resolution = The end of the fight.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'resolution' in photography (image clarity), though they share a root.
Fun facts
- New Year's resolutions date back to the ancient Babylonians, who made promises to their gods to pay their debts.
Related words
Explore more words
resolute, settlement, mediation, decisive, dispute, compromise
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.