Decision vs. Resolution: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A decision is a choice made from available alternatives; a resolution is a firm commitment to do or not do something.
Key Differences
A decision often involves making a choice or judgment after considering different options, while a resolution typically refers to a firm determination or commitment to a course of action. Decisions can be about small or large matters, whereas resolutions usually signify a strong will to follow through on a significant change or action.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Decisions are frequently made in response to a problem or challenge, requiring evaluation of various alternatives. Resolutions, on the other hand, often stem from a desire for personal growth or improvement, embodying a promise or firm intention. While decisions can be changed or reversed, resolutions imply a deeper level of commitment.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
In decision-making, the focus is on the process of choosing, which can be influenced by logic, emotions, or a combination of both. Resolutions, in contrast, are more about setting goals or objectives, often involving a pledge or firm decision to achieve something specific. The nature of a resolution is usually more enduring than a typical decision.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Decisions can be either impromptu or well-thought-out, depending on the situation. Resolutions, conversely, are typically the result of contemplation and reflect a long-term commitment. Decisions can be flexible and adaptable, whereas resolutions signify a steadfast adherence to a chosen path.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Decision-making is a key aspect of daily life and can range from trivial to crucial. Resolutions, though they can also be made any time, often coincide with significant moments or periods of reflection, like New Year's. Decisions can be private or public, but resolutions often involve a personal promise or public declaration.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A choice or selection among alternatives.
A firm commitment or determination.
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Dec 04, 2023
Timeframe
Can be short-term or long-term.
Usually implies a long-term commitment.
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Dec 04, 2023
Flexibility
More flexible, can be altered or reversed.
Less flexible, signifies firmness and resolve.
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Dec 04, 2023
Origin
Often results from a need or problem.
Generally arises from desire for change or improvement.
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Dec 04, 2023
Nature
Can be pragmatic or emotional.
Typically involves determination and perseverance.
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Dec 04, 2023
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Decision and Resolution Definitions
Decision
A determination arrived at after consideration.
The jury's decision was unanimous.
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Nov 26, 2023
Resolution
The act of resolving or determining.
The board passed a resolution to increase funding.
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Nov 26, 2023
Decision
The resolution of a question.
His decision on the matter was final.
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Nov 26, 2023
Resolution
A formal expression of opinion or intention.
The committee adopted a resolution to improve facilities.
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Nov 26, 2023
Decision
The act of making up one's mind.
After much thought, his decision was to start a new business.
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Nov 26, 2023
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Resolution
The quality of being determined or resolute.
His resolution in facing challenges was admirable.
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Nov 26, 2023
Resolution
The action of solving a problem or dispute.
The peaceful resolution of the conflict was a relief.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Decision
A conclusion or judgment reached after consideration
Have you come to a decision yet?.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination
Faced the situation with resolution.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Decision
The act of reaching a conclusion or of passing of judgment on an issue under consideration
The judges' decision is taking a long time.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
A firm decision to do something
Made a resolution to get more exercise.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Decision
Firmness of character or action; determination
Is he a man of decision?.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
A course of action determined or decided on
His resolution is to get up early.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
(Sports) A victory won on points in boxing when no knockout has occurred or in wrestling when no fall has occurred.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
(Baseball) A win or loss accorded to a pitcher
Has four wins in six decisions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
To defeat by a decision, as in boxing
Decisioned his opponent in the third round.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
The part of a literary work in which the complications of the plot are resolved or simplified.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
A formal statement of a decision or expression of opinion put before or adopted by an assembly such as the US Congress.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
A choice or judgement.
It is the decision of the court that movies are protected as free speech.
It's a tough decision, but I'll take vanilla.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
Physics & Chemistry The act or process of separating or reducing something into its constituent parts
The prismatic resolution of sunlight into its spectral colors.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
(uncountable) Firmness of conviction.
After agonizing deliberations, they finally proceeded with decision.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
The clarity or fineness of detail that can be distinguished in an image, often measured as the number or the density of the discrete units, such as pixels or dots, that compose it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
(chiefly combat sports) A result arrived at by the judges when there is no clear winner at the end of the contest.
He has won twice by knockout, once by decision.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
(Medicine) The subsiding or termination of an abnormal condition, such as a fever or inflammation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
The progression of a dissonant tone or chord to a consonant tone or chord.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
(boxing) To defeat an opponent by a decision of the judges, rather than by a knockout
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
The substitution of one metrical unit for another, especially the substitution of two short syllables for one long syllable in quantitative verse.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
The act of deciding; act of settling or terminating, as a controversy, by giving judgment on the matter at issue; determination, as of a question or doubt; settlement; conclusion.
The decision of some dispute.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
An account or report of a conclusion, especially of a legal adjudication or judicial determination of a question or cause; as, a decision of arbitrators; a decision of the Supreme Court.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
The state of being resolute.
His stalwart resolution is perhaps admirable, perhaps foolish.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
The quality of being decided; prompt and fixed determination; unwavering firmness; as, to manifest great decision.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
A statement of intent, a vow
By February, most New Year's resolutions are forgotten.
My resolution is to cut back on the fast food this year.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Decision
A position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration;
A decision unfavorable to the opposition
His conclusion took the evidence into account
Satisfied with the panel's determination
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
The act of making up your mind about something;
The burden of decision was his
He drew his conclusions quickly
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
(computing, photography) The degree of fineness with which an image can be recorded or produced, often expressed as the number of pixels per unit of length (typically an inch).
Printing at higher resolution will cause a reduction in performance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
(boxing) a victory won on points when no knockout has occurred;
Had little trouble in taking a unanimous decision over his opponent
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
(computing) The number of pixels in an image being stored or displayed.
This monitor's maximum resolution is 1600 × 1200.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
The outcome of a game or contest;
The team dropped three decisions in a row
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
(computing) The process of determining the meaning of a symbol or address; lookup.
Name resolution
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
The trait of resoluteness as evidenced by firmness of character or purpose;
A man of unusual decisiveness
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
(math) The act or process of solving; solution.
The resolution of an equation
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Oct 19, 2023
Decision
A conclusion reached after consideration.
She made the decision to pursue her studies abroad.
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Nov 26, 2023
Resolution
A formal statement adopted by an assembly, or during any other formal meeting.
The resolution was passed by a two-thirds majority.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
(sciences) The separation of the constituent parts (of a spectrum etc).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
(music) Progression from dissonance to consonance; a chord to which such progression is made.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
(literature) The moment in which the conflict ends and the outcome of the action is clear.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
(medicine) In a pathological process, the phase during which pathogens and damaged tissues are removed by macrophages.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
The act, operation, or process of resolving.
The unraveling and resolution of the difficulties that are met with in the execution of the design are the end of an action.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
The state of being resolved, settled, or determined; firmness; steadiness; constancy; determination.
Be it with resolution then to fight.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
That which is resolved or determined; a settled purpose; determination. Specifically: A formal expression of the opinion or will of an official body or a public assembly, adopted by vote; as, a legislative resolution; the resolutions of a public meeting.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
The state of being resolved or firm in opinion or thought; conviction; assurance.
Little resolution and certainty there is as touching the islands of Mauritania.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
The act or process of solving; solution; as, the resolution of an equation or problem.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
A breaking up, disappearance; or termination, as of a fever, a tumor, or the like.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
The passing of a dissonant into a consonant chord by the rising or falling of the note which makes the discord.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
The act of distinguishing between two close but not identical objects, or, when taking a measurement, bbetween two close values of the property measured.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
A measure of the ability to distinguish between two close but not identical values of the property being measured; it is expressed as the difference in values of a property necessary to make such a distinction; as, a microscope with a resolution of one micron; a thermometer with a resolution of one-tenth of a degree. Also called resolving power.
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
The ability of a microscope or telescope to measure the angular separation of images that are close together
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
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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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
Something settled or resolved; the outcome of decision making;
The finally reached a settlement with the union
They never did achieve a final resolution of their differences
He needed to grieve before he could achieve a sense of closure
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
(computer science) the number of pixels per square inch on a computer-generated display; the greater the resolution, the better the picture
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
The subsidence of swelling or others signs of inflammation (especially in a lung)
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
A statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem;
They were trying to find a peaceful solution
The answers were in the back of the book
He computed the result to four decimal places
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Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
A decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner;
He always wrote down his New Year's resolutions
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Resolution
A firm decision to do or not to do something.
Her New Year's resolution was to exercise more.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How does a decision differ from a resolution?
A decision is about choosing; a resolution is about committing.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
What is a resolution?
A firm commitment or determination to do or not do something.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
What is a decision?
A choice or selection made from available alternatives.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Are resolutions flexible?
Resolutions usually imply a greater level of firmness and less flexibility.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can external factors influence decisions?
Yes, decisions can be influenced by external factors.
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Dec 04, 2023
Are resolutions made quickly?
Resolutions often result from contemplation and represent long-term commitments.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
What does a resolution typically involve?
A strong commitment or determination to achieve a specific goal.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Is making a resolution a conscious process?
Yes, resolutions are made consciously with intent.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
What is involved in making a decision?
Evaluating options and choosing the best course of action.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can decisions be made quickly?
Yes, decisions can range from quick to deliberative.
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Dec 04, 2023
Are resolutions affected by external factors?
Resolutions are more internally driven, though external factors can have some influence.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
What motivates someone to make a resolution?
A desire for personal growth, improvement, or change.
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Dec 04, 2023
What is an example of a common resolution?
A common resolution is to exercise more or eat healthier.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Is a decision always a conscious choice?
Yes, decisions involve conscious deliberation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can a decision be part of a resolution?
Yes, a resolution can involve making specific decisions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Do decisions have emotional aspects?
Yes, emotions can play a role in decision-making.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
How often can decisions be made?
Decisions can be made as often as situations arise.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
When are resolutions typically made?
Often during significant moments or periods of reflection.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can a resolution change over time?
While firm, resolutions can evolve as circumstances change.
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Dec 04, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila 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.