Solve
What it means
To find an effective answer to a problem.
Reach for it when describing successful discovery of an answer to a problem, question, or puzzle
The students used careful measurements to solve the design flaw.
Words to choose between 9
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
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playful
crack
Fits when overcoming a difficult puzzle suits lively prose
Careful Crack is informal and can imply unauthorized access.
-
playful
fix
Fits when correcting a practical fault suits an informal tone
Careful A fix may be temporary and rarely names an abstract puzzle's answer.
-
everyday
answer
Fits when responding correctly to a question is enough
Careful An answer may not show the problem was solved.
-
everyday
work out
Fits when reasoning to an answer suits conversation
Careful Work out is conversational and can also mean exercise.
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warm
Fits when separating interacting difficulties is central
Careful Untangling may clarify without fully solving.
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professional
Fits when interpreting code, script, or obscured meaning is precise
Careful Decipher is too narrow for most problems.
-
professional
Fits when correcting harm or deficiency is central
Careful A remedy may alleviate rather than solve.
-
professional
Fits when settling a dispute or uncertainty matters
Careful Resolve does not always produce a technically correct answer.
-
formal
determine
Fits when inquiry establishes a fact
Careful Determine can identify the issue without fixing it.
Opposites 3
- complicate
- confound
- leave unresolved
Common phrases 3
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solve a problem
The trainees learned to solve a problem before replacing parts.
-
solve together
The two teams chose to solve together what neither could fund alone.
-
solve the puzzle
One overlooked date helped solve the puzzle.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated