defy resolution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defy resolution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or problem that cannot be easily solved or understood. Example: "The complexities of the issue seemed to defy resolution, leaving the team at an impasse."

✓ Grammatically correct

Arts

Politics

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

His Munich abstractions, which contain hints of landscapes and of his mounted knights, in particular defy resolution.

The New York Times - Arts

Pelosi, who began talking shortly after 10 a.m., sought the same assurances Democrats have gotten in the Senate — the promise of debate on an immigration bill, the one glimmer of hope on an issue that seems to defy resolution.

The Washington Post

Although some loose-ends continued to defy resolution until much later in the eighteenth century, by the early 1750s Newton's theory of gravity had become the accepted basis for ongoing research among almost everyone working in orbital astronomy.

SEP

The consensus sequence of T3Δ1.3AE also revealed four mutations polymorphic over wild-type that were not near fixation and thus of such possibly weak benefit as to defy resolution in our compensatory assay (Additional file 1).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Melodic lines snaked quickly through oblique intervals, defying resolution.

The New York Times - Arts

He argues, plausibly, that the standoff defies resolution because Kim Jong Il has "institutionalized brinksmanship".

The New York Times - Books

A12 Israel Defies Resolution Israeli forces maintained their siege of Yasir Arafat's compound despite a United Nations resolution demanding their withdrawal.

The New York Times

The violence, instead, exposed one of the unsettling realities of a conflict that has defied resolution for decades.

The New York Times

The largely peaceful protesters still camped out in the streets, calling for democracy, remain a vulnerable backdrop to an armed conflict that has defied resolution.

The New York Times

A strong feature in the Malevich-based heritage of cerebral compositions is the structuring of movement that retains its tension and defies resolution.

The New York Times

You emerge from it restive and itchy, as though a movie screen could give you sunburn, and the story defies resolution.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defy resolution" when you want to emphasize that something is not just difficult to solve, but almost seems impossible to resolve through normal means.

Common error

Avoid using "defy resolution" in situations where a simpler phrase like "difficult to solve" would suffice. It's best reserved for truly intractable problems.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defy resolution" functions as a verb phrase, where "defy" is the verb and "resolution" is the noun. It describes the action of something resisting or making resolution impossible. Ludwig shows that this is often used in contexts where problems are complex and solutions are elusive.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "defy resolution" is a grammatically correct expression that describes situations or problems that are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to resolve. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not a frequently used phrase, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and academic publications. Alternatives include "resist resolution" and "elude resolution". When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the gravity of the situation you're describing, reserving it for truly intractable issues to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resist resolution

Focuses on the act of actively opposing a solution.

elude resolution

Suggests that a solution is always just out of reach.

prove unsolvable

Emphasizes the inability to find any solution at all.

evade solution

Similar to "elude resolution" but can imply intentional avoidance.

be impervious to resolution

Highlights the inability to be affected by any resolution attempts.

challenge resolution

Emphasizes difficulty and the need for significant effort to resolve.

stand unresolved

Focuses on the state of remaining without a resolution.

remain unsettled

Similar to 'stand unresolved' but implies a lack of finality.

transcend solution

Suggests the issue is beyond the scope or capability of a typical solution.

outstrip resolution

Implies the issue has grown beyond the capacity to be resolved.

FAQs

How can I use "defy resolution" in a sentence?

You can use "defy resolution" to describe complex problems, artistic expressions, or situations that seem impossible to solve. For instance, "The nuances of the artwork seemed to "defy resolution", offering new interpretations with each viewing".

What's the difference between "defy resolution" and "difficult to resolve"?

"Defy resolution" suggests a higher degree of intractability than "difficult to resolve". While the latter implies a challenge, the former suggests near impossibility. "Defy resolution" also has a stronger, more emphatic tone.

What are some alternatives to "defy resolution"?

Alternatives include "resist resolution", "elude resolution", or "prove unsolvable depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

Is "defy resolution" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "defy resolution" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing complex issues in academic, scientific, or professional contexts. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of your writing.