1
as in to lay
to cause to come to rest at the bottom (as of a liquid)
the light rain will settle the dust in the air careful handling will settle the lees in the bottom of the wine bottle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to inhabit
to supply with inhabitants
the region was originally settled by farmers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to decide
to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)
settled the lawsuit in favor of the defendant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to arrange
to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of
settled their wedding plans without any major disagreements
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to perch
to come to rest after descending from the air
birds settling on the branches of the maple tree
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6
7
as in to calm
to free from distress or disturbance
a hot meal settled the children down
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8
9
10
as in to determine
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
this information should settle the question of who is right
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of settle
Or at least, that’s the takeaway the governing Labour Party seems to have settled on, casting renewables as more insulated to oil price shocks.
—
Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
He was never charged with a crime, and civil claims have been settled.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Williams ultimately settled his lawsuit with American Demolition before going to trial.
—Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
And always vacuum up the dust that settles on the floor afterwards.
—Sunshine Flint, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for settle
Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
He was never charged with a crime, and civil claims have been settled.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Williams ultimately settled his lawsuit with American Demolition before going to trial.
—Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
And always vacuum up the dust that settles on the floor afterwards.
—Sunshine Flint, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for settle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settle
Verb
-
As for which dinosaurs laid them, reporting suggests multiple species may be represented.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
For years, this debate between stricter codes and affordable housing festered behind the scenes, including at the obscure International Code Council, which brings together government officials, contractors, appliance makers and others to lay the groundwork for model codes.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Visit the Indigenous Bribri community, which has inhabited Talamanca for thousands of years.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The Tokara Leaf Warbler inhabits the Tokara Islands, located approximately 621 miles to the southwest.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This information helps the military decide whether a rescue is immediately feasible, what methods should be used, and which aircraft to send to rescue the crew.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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As first impressions go, this was the equivalent of forgetting a date’s name, checking the phone while ordering, and deciding to talk religion and politics over dessert.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The concierge specializes in Kyoto’s cultural events, and can help access exclusive ochaya with an interpreter, score tickets to the theater, book dinner reservations, a huge help in Kyoto, or help arrange meetings with monks and priests at the city’s Shinto shrines and temples.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
These could be arranged into longer, songlike sequences that played automatically.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Take, for instance, a scene featuring a woman in a kind of avant-garde milkmaid ensemble confronting a monstrously tall figure that, upon close examination, is actually a child perched atop a man’s shoulders, wearing a long trench coat.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Rojas rode onto the field perched atop a metallic blue convertible, hoisting the 2025 World Series trophy over his head.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Reagan, who was born in western Illinois, underwent two hours of surgery at George Washington University Hospital for removal of the bullet, which was lodged in his lung.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Two residents called the council to lodge objections this year, both citing the impact fireworks have on wildlife and the environment.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The space boasts a heated pool, spa and pool house, while impressive indoor amenities include a gym, home theater and calming views of the surrounding greenery.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
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The helicopter flew low and dropped off the volunteer and Bingo, who calmed Molly and guided her to safety.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In addition, motions in which the prosecution opposed mental health diversions for two defendants contained similar errors, Stuart wrote.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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The Jumping Branch fire has spread to 275 acres and is only 30% contained, state officials said Tuesday.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settle. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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