Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb solve

3 senses of solve

Sense 1
solve, work out, figure out, puzzle out, lick, work -- (find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of; "did you solve the problem?"; "Work out your problems with the boss"; "this unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself out"; "did you get it?"; "Did you get my meaning?"; "He could not work the math problem")
       => understand -- (know and comprehend the nature or meaning of; "She did not understand her husband"; "I understand what she means")

Sense 2
resolve, solve -- (find the solution; "solve an equation"; "solve for x")
       => calculate, cipher, cypher, compute, work out, reckon, figure -- (make a mathematical calculation or computation)

Sense 3
clear, solve -- (settle, as of a debt; "clear a debt"; "solve an old debt")
       => settle, square off, square up, determine -- (settle conclusively; come to terms; "We finally settled the argument")