REZ-uh-loot
/ˈɹɛzəˌlut/
resolute is pronounced REZ-uh-loot (/ˈɹɛzəˌlut/). Resolute means determined, unwavering, and purposeful in action or attitude. It connotes steadfast firmness in pursuing a goal, often despite obstacles. The term carries a confident, even stern, tone and is commonly applied to people, decisions, or stances that show unwavering resolve.
Resolute means determined, unwavering, and purposeful in action or attitude. It connotes steadfast firmness in pursuing a goal, often despite obstacles. The term carries a confident, even stern, tone and is commonly applied to people, decisions, or stances that show unwavering resolve.
"Her resolute determination helped her finish the marathon.”"
"The council took a resolute stance on environmental policy."
"Despite setbacks, he remained resolute in his plan to start a business."
US/UK/AU pronunciation is /ˈrɛzəˌluːt/ or /ˈrɛsəˌluːt/ in some accents. The primary stress falls on the first syllable: REZ-uh-loot. Break it into three parts: /ˈrɛ/ as in red, /zə/ as a quick schwa with z, and /luːt/ like ‘loot’ with a long u. Avoid adding extra syllable after the 'loot'—keep the ending crisp. Audio references in dictionaries will give you natural tempo and rhythm; you’ll hear the slight reduction of unstressed syllables in fluent speech.
Two common errors are misplacing the stress or mispronouncing the second syllable as a full syllable rather than a schwa + z sound. Some learners say /ˈriːzɔːljuːt/ or insert an extra vowel between /z/ and /luːt/. Correct by keeping the /zə/ as a reduced, quick syllable: /ˈrɛzəˌluːt/. Practice with minimal pairs and record yourself to ensure the correct rhythm—strong first syllable, light second, precise final /luːt/.
In US pronunciation, /ˈrɛzəˌluːt/ features a rhotic R and a clearer /ə/ in the second syllable. UK English can reduce the middle vowel even more, with a shorter /ə/ and a slightly crisper /t/ depending on the speaker; the rhythm often leans toward /ˈrɛzəˌluːt/. Australian tends to be non-rhotic or mildly rhotic with a similar /ˈrɛzəˌluːt/ pattern, but vowel quality may shift subtly toward a more centralized /ə/ and a softer final /t/. Audio samples will illustrate mild regional vowel variation and final consonant release differences.
The challenge lies in the three-syllable structure with a strong stress on the first syllable and a long, tense final /luːt/. The /zə/ middle syllable is inherently reduced in fluent speech, which can cause mispronunciation if you over-articulate. Also, transitioning from /z/ to /l/ can cause a slight tongue clash if your mouth isn’t ready for a quick shift. Focus on the sequence /ˈrɛzə/ followed by /luːt/ with smooth, brisk linking between the syllables.
A key nuance is the short, quick /zə/ in the middle. Many learners insert a vowel between /z/ and the following /l/, producing /ˈrɛzəljuːt/ or /ˈrɛzɔːljuːt/. Keep the middle syllable light and almost voiceless, so you get /ˈrɛzəˌluːt/. The primary stress should stay on the first syllable; the rest should flow quickly into the final /luːt/. Real-world listening will help you gauge natural tempo and rhythm.
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Resolute comes from the Latin resolutus, meaning ‘released, loosened, unshackled,’ from the verb solver e- ‘to loosen, to release’ plus -lutus, an adjective-forming suffix. The root solver derives from Latin solvere, meaning ‘to loosen, to loosen bonds, to solve.’ In Late Latin, resolutus carried the sense of ‘releasing from doubt or difficulty’ and gradually shifted to describe a person who is ‘bound’ by a determined purpose. The English adoption appears in the 16th century, aligning with the era’s emphasis on personal virtue and decisive character. Over time, the word’s nuance strengthened to convey not only determination but an active, forward-moving firmness: someone who is resolute takes clear, deliberate actions toward a goal, resisting hesitation or compromise. The word’s longer constitutional sense—unyielding, steadfast—is now its most common usage in professional, political, and literary contexts. Historically, “resolute” has tended to appear in rhetoric that extols leadership and moral fortitude, and remains a preferred descriptor in descriptions of character and policy stances that are unmoved by opposition. First known uses surface in early modern English, with explicit application to personifying resolve in debates and proclamations. Modern usage spans from political or strategic commitments to daily personal challenges. The term pairs well with nouns like “stand,” “action,” or “response” and often appears in sentences that highlight unwavering commitment.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "resolute" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "resolute" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "resolute"
-ute sounds
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