decide and resolve share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. decide means “reach, make, or come to a decision about something”. resolve means “bring to an end; settle conclusively”. decide is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˌdɪˈsaɪd/
1.v.reach, make, or come to a decision about something
“We finally decided after lengthy deliberations”
2.v.bring to an end; settle conclusively
“The case was decided”
3.v.cause to decide
“This new development finally decided me!”
/ɹiˈzɑlv/
1.v.bring to an end; settle conclusively
“The case was decided”
2.v.reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation
3.v.reach a decision
“he resolved never to drink again”
| decide | resolve | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˌdɪˈsaɪd/ | /ɹiˈzɑlv/ |
| Said | dis-AHYD | ree-ZAHLV |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Letters | 6 | 7 |
| Parts of speech | verb | verb, noun |
| Senses | 4 | 9 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | make up one's mind, determine | decide, settle, adjudicate |
Full entry for decide · Full entry for resolve · More comparisons