Decision vs. Resolution — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 22, 2023
A Decision is a choice made after considering options, while a Resolution is a firm determination or commitment to do something.
Difference Between Decision and Resolution
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Decision and Resolution, while related in the context of choices, operate at different depths of intention. A Decision often emerges after weighing multiple options, leading to a chosen path or action. Conversely, a Resolution implies a strong commitment, often after a decision, to adhere to a specific course or objective.
While Decisions often arise from daily situations or dilemmas, requiring us to pick one option over others, Resolutions carry an element of long-term commitment. New Year's Resolutions, for instance, signify intent to maintain specific behaviors throughout the year.
Another distinction lies in the realms where these words are commonly used. In corporate or group settings, a Decision might refer to an agreed-upon action or strategy, while a Resolution can represent a formal agreement or determination adopted by a body. In personal contexts, Decisions are choices we regularly make, whereas Resolutions are strong intentions set for personal growth or change.
In essence, while every Resolution often starts with a Decision, not every Decision culminates in a Resolution. The depth of commitment and time horizon usually set them apart.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A choice made after consideration
A firm determination or commitment
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Depth
Often momentary or situational
Implies long-term intent
Context
Daily situations, corporate strategies
Formal agreements, personal growth objectives
Commitment Level
Might not imply commitment
Strong intent and adherence
Temporality
Can be transient
Often set for longer durations, like a year
Compare with Definitions
Decision
The act of choosing between alternatives.
The board's Decision favored the new proposal.
Resolution
The act of resolving or settling a dispute.
The Resolution of their argument strengthened their friendship.
Decision
A judgment or final verdict.
The judge's Decision surprised many.
Resolution
Determination or perseverance in a task.
Her Resolution to finish the marathon was commendable.
Decision
Determination reached in a matter.
It was a tough Decision, but he sold the house.
Resolution
A solution or answer to a problem.
They found a Resolution to the software glitch.
Decision
A conclusion reached after consideration.
She made the Decision to move cities.
Resolution
A firm decision to do or not to do something
She kept her resolution not to see Anne any more
A New Year's resolution
Decision
A conclusion or resolution reached after consideration
The editor's decision is final
I'll make the decision on my own
Resolution
The quality of being determined or resolute
He handled the last British actions of the war with resolution
Decision
A conclusion or judgment reached after consideration
Have you come to a decision yet?.
Resolution
The action of solving a problem or contentious matter
A successful resolution to the problem
The peaceful resolution of all disputes
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.
Resolution
The process of reducing or separating something into constituent parts or components.
Decision
Firmness of character or action; determination
Is he a man of decision?.
Resolution
The smallest interval measurable by a telescope or other scientific instrument; the resolving power.
Decision
(Sports) A victory won on points in boxing when no knockout has occurred or in wrestling when no fall has occurred.
Resolution
The conversion of something abstract into another form
The gradual resolution of an uncertain feeling into a named emotion
Decision
(Baseball) A win or loss accorded to a pitcher
Has four wins in six decisions.
Resolution
The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination
Faced the situation with resolution.
Decision
To defeat by a decision, as in boxing
Decisioned his opponent in the third round.
Resolution
A firm decision to do something
Made a resolution to get more exercise.
Decision
The act of deciding.
Resolution
A course of action determined or decided on
His resolution is to get up early.
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.
Resolution
The act of solving or explaining a problem or puzzle.
Decision
(uncountable) Firmness of conviction.
After agonizing deliberations, they finally proceeded with decision.
Resolution
The resolving or concluding of a dispute or disagreement.
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.
Resolution
The part of a literary work in which the complications of the plot are resolved or simplified.
Decision
(baseball) A win or a loss awarded to a pitcher.
Resolution
A formal statement of a decision or expression of opinion put before or adopted by an assembly such as the US Congress.
Decision
(boxing) To defeat an opponent by a decision of the judges, rather than by a knockout
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.
Decision
Cutting off; division; detachment of a part.
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.
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.
Resolution
(Medicine) The subsiding or termination of an abnormal condition, such as a fever or inflammation.
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.
Resolution
The progression of a dissonant tone or chord to a consonant tone or chord.
Decision
The quality of being decided; prompt and fixed determination; unwavering firmness; as, to manifest great decision.
Resolution
The tone or chord to which such a progression is made.
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
Resolution
The substitution of one metrical unit for another, especially the substitution of two short syllables for one long syllable in quantitative verse.
Decision
The act of making up your mind about something;
The burden of decision was his
He drew his conclusions quickly
Resolution
A strong will, determination.
Decision
(boxing) a victory won on points when no knockout has occurred;
Had little trouble in taking a unanimous decision over his opponent
Resolution
The state of being resolute.
His stalwart resolution is perhaps admirable, perhaps foolish.
Decision
The outcome of a game or contest;
The team dropped three decisions in a row
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.
Decision
The trait of resoluteness as evidenced by firmness of character or purpose;
A man of unusual decisiveness
Resolution
The act of discerning detail.
Decision
Selection of a preferred option.
Their Decision to adopt was heartfelt.
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.
Resolution
(computing) The number of pixels in an image being stored or displayed.
This monitor's maximum resolution is 1600 × 1200.
Resolution
(computing) The process of determining the meaning of a symbol or address; lookup.
Name resolution
Resolution
(math) The act or process of solving; solution.
The resolution of an equation
Resolution
A formal statement adopted by an assembly, or during any other formal meeting.
The resolution was passed by a two-thirds majority.
Resolution
(sciences) The separation of the constituent parts (of a spectrum etc).
Resolution
(sciences) The degree of fineness of such a separation.
Resolution
(music) Progression from dissonance to consonance; a chord to which such progression is made.
Resolution
(literature) The moment in which the conflict ends and the outcome of the action is clear.
Resolution
(medicine) In a pathological process, the phase during which pathogens and damaged tissues are removed by macrophages.
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.
Resolution
The state of being relaxed; relaxation.
Resolution
The state of being resolved, settled, or determined; firmness; steadiness; constancy; determination.
Be it with resolution then to fight.
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.
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.
Resolution
The act or process of solving; solution; as, the resolution of an equation or problem.
Resolution
A breaking up, disappearance; or termination, as of a fever, a tumor, or the like.
Resolution
The passing of a dissonant into a consonant chord by the rising or falling of the note which makes the discord.
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.
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.
Resolution
A formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote
Resolution
The ability of a microscope or telescope to measure the angular separation of images that are close together
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
Resolution
Finding a solution to a problem
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
Resolution
Analysis into clear-cut components
Resolution
(computer science) the number of pixels per square inch on a computer-generated display; the greater the resolution, the better the picture
Resolution
The subsidence of swelling or others signs of inflammation (especially in a lung)
Resolution
(music) a dissonant chord is followed by a consonant chord
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
Resolution
A decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner;
He always wrote down his New Year's resolutions
Resolution
A firm decision to do or not do something.
His New Year's Resolution was to exercise daily.
Resolution
Formal expression of an intention by a group.
The council passed a Resolution against the project.
Common Curiosities
Can a Decision be reversed?
Yes, Decisions can be changed, but reversing a Resolution may indicate a lack of commitment.
Is a New Year's Resolution a type of Decision?
Yes, it starts as a Decision but carries the depth of commitment implied in a Resolution.
Is every Decision a Resolution?
No, while a Decision is a choice, a Resolution implies a firm commitment or determination.
Which comes first, a Decision or a Resolution?
Typically, a Decision comes first, and it may lead to a Resolution if there's a strong commitment.
Can organizations make Resolutions?
Yes, organizations often pass Resolutions as formal agreements or determinations.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
