The Meaning of Resolution: What It Is and How To Use It

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The word resolution has numerous definitions. Can you name them all? This article will define resolution and teach you how to use it. By the end of this article, you will be an expert on the word resolution! 

What Does Resolution Mean?

According to Dictionary, the definition of resolution is varied in scope. First, resolution refers to the act of solving or deciding something. The word resolution can also refer to the act of coming to this decision or course of action. The pronunciation of resolution is ˌrez əˈluːʃən.

Next, resolution can mean will power or firmness of purpose. For example, if someone has resolution, they might be stubborn concerning a certain issue. Finally, resolution means the number of pixels across and down a computer screen. This is also known as DPI, or dots per inch. The higher resolution, the higher the fineness of the image.

What Is the Etymology of Resolution?

Dictionary states that the word resolution entered the English language a very long time ago, between the years 1350 and 1400. This word began as the Middle English resolucioun, which comes from the Latin resolutio.

How Can We Use Resolution in a Sentence?

Resolution has several different definitions, and it is important to know how to identify when someone is using which definition. To learn how to do this:

  1. Study the below example sentences.
  2. See if you can identify which definition is used in each sentence.
  3. Try coming up with your own examples of resolution!

Example #1

Every year, she loved coming up with her new year’s resolution. She loved having a goal and an intention for the year to come.

Question: What is the definition of resolution in the above sentence?

Answer: In the above sentence, resolution means a decision or determination.

Example #2

Everyone was impressed with the image resolution on the new high-resolution screen at work. 

Question: What is the definition of resolution in the above sentence?

Answer: In the above sentence, resolution means a degree of sharpness of a screen.

Example #3

They brought in an expert on conflict resolution to prevent dissonance amongst the constituents.

Question: What is the definition of resolution in the above sentence?

Answer: In the above sentence, resolution means the settling of a problem.

Example #4

The technology snob refused to use the screen that had a basic display resolution and demanded one with a higher resolution.

Question: What is the definition of resolution in the above sentence?

Answer: In the above sentence, resolution means a degree of sharpness of a screen.

Example #5

The security council tried to determine the best course of action for the dispute resolution.

Question: What is the definition of resolution in the above sentence?

Answer: In the above sentence, resolution means the settling of a problem.

Example #6

The group put out a formal statement of joint resolution for the future of the organization.

Question: What is the definition of resolution in the above sentence?

Answer: In the above sentence, resolution means a formal expression of an opinion.

Example #7

The teacher was grateful that his students were able to come to a peaceful resolution without him having to get involved in middle school drama.

Question: What is the definition of resolution in the above sentence?

Answer: In the above sentence, resolution means the settling of a problem.

What Are Translations of Resolution?

Many other languages have their own words for resolution. If you need to communicate about business with someone who does not speak English, you can study the below word list from Nice Translator to learn how to say resolution in other languages. 

Can you tell which of these words have the same origin as the word resolution?

  • Romanian: rezoluţie
  • Swedish: upplösning
  • Filipino: paglutas
  • Estonian: lahendamine
  • Kannada: ಪರಿಹಲನ
  • Vietnamese: nghị quyết
  • French: résolution
  • Hindi: संकल्प
  • Japanese: 解像度
  • Thai: ปณิธาน
  • Arabic: الدقة
  • Marathi: ठराव
  • Amharic: ጥራት
  • Finnish: ratkaisu
  • Bengali: রেজোলিউশন
  • German: Auflösung
  • Malayalam: മിഴിവ്
  • Norwegian: Vedtak
  • Korean: 해결
  • Chinese (Taiwan): 解析度
  • Croatian: razlučivost
  • Slovak: rozhodnutie
  • Catalan: resolució
  • Bulgarian: резолюция
  • Russian: разрешающая способность
  • Portuguese (Brazil): resolução
  • Icelandic: lausn
  • Telugu: స్పష్టత
  • Tamil: தீர்மானம்
  • Danish: løsning
  • Gujarati: ઠરાવ
  • Slovenian: resolucija
  • Swahili: Azimio
  • Czech: rozlišení
  • Chinese (PRC): 解析度
  • Basque: balioztapen
  • Welsh: phenderfyniad
  • Malay: resolusi
  • Turkish: çözüm
  • Polish: rezolucja
  • Dutch: oplossing
  • Hebrew: פתרון הבעיה
  • Urdu: قرارداد
  • Lithuanian: rezoliucija
  • Greek: ανάλυση
  • Hungarian: felbontás
  • Portuguese (Portugal): resolução
  • Indonesian: resolusi
  • Ukrainian: роздільна здатність
  • Italian: risoluzione
  • Spanish: resolución
  • Serbian: резолуција
  • Latvian: izšķirtspēja

What Are Synonyms of Resolution?

Since resolution has numerous meanings, you might consider using a synonym of resolution in place of the word itself. 

Can you match each of these synonyms of resolution from Power Thesaurus with each definition of resolution?

  • adjudication
  • answer
  • backbone
  • bravery
  • closure
  • commitment
  • conclusion
  • constancy
  • courage
  • decision
  • declaration
  • decree
  • denouement
  • determination
  • doggedness
  • endurance
  • finding
  • firmness
  • fortitude
  • grit
  • guts
  • intention
  • judgment
  • mettle
  • motion
  • outcome
  • perseverance
  • persistence
  • pluck
  • proposal
  • purpose
  • purposefulness
  • resoluteness
  • resolve
  • resolving
  • result
  • ruling
  • settlement
  • single-mindedness
  • solution
  • solvent
  • solving
  • spirit
  • spunk
  • staunchness
  • staying power
  • steadfastness
  • tenacity
  • verdict
  • will

What Are Antonyms of Resolution?

There are also many words that mean the opposite of resolution, which are listed below from Power Thesaurus.

  • abstruseness
  • affair
  • ambiguity
  • apathy
  • awkward situation
  • bind
  • box
  • can of worms
  • case
  • challenge
  • chaos
  • compliance
  • complication
  • conflict
  • confusion
  • cowardice
  • difficult situation
  • difficulty
  • dilemma
  • disarray
  • doubt
  • enigma
  • entanglement
  • fix
  • hesitation
  • hole
  • indecision
  • indecisiveness
  • irresoluteness
  • irresolution
  • jam
  • labyrinth
  • mess
  • mire
  • muddle
  • perplexity
  • pickle
  • plight
  • predicament
  • problem
  • quagmire
  • quandary
  • question
  • strait
  • trouble
  • uncertainty

Conclusion

Resolution is a noun that has a few different meanings. First, resolution can refer to the act of choosing or determining something. It can also refer to steadfastness or determination, as well as the quality of a screen or monitor.

Sources:

Resolution synonyms – 1 998 Words and Phrases for Resolution | Power Thesaurus

Resolution antonyms – 2 037 Opposites of Resolution | Power Thesaurus  

Resolution | Nice Translator 

Resolution Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com