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

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2
as in to inhabit
to supply with inhabitants the region was originally settled by farmers

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3
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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
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8
as in to contain
to gain emotional or mental control of settled himself only with visible effort after the angry outburst

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9
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11
as in to shush
to stop the noise or speech of settled the class with a firm "quiet!"

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb settle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of settle are decide, determine, resolve, and rule. While all these words mean "to come or cause to come to a conclusion," settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.

the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy

When might decide be a better fit than settle?

While in some cases nearly identical to settle, decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy.

she decided to sell her house

When is it sensible to use determine instead of settle?

The words determine and settle can be used in similar contexts, but determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.

determined the cause of the problem

When would resolve be a good substitute for settle?

In some situations, the words resolve and settle are roughly equivalent. However, resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something.

he resolved to quit smoking

In what contexts can rule take the place of settle?

Although the words rule and settle have much in common, rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.

the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of settle The dust from Worlds Collide will have to settle quickly as the attention will turn to Money in the Bank as six men and six women, respectively, will look to grab the briefcase which contains a contract for a world title shot anytime, anywhere. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2025 In the standings San Diego Padres (35-26, 2nd in NL West) Dropping the last two games in San Francisco to settle for a split dropped the Padres back to two games behind the Dodgers in the division. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025 Scientists are investigating factors including warming ocean temperatures, nutrient-rich runoff from agriculture, and changing wind and current patterns, but have not settled on a definitive explanation. Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025 Whether the next superintendent comes from the city or the district is significant because whoever takes over will immediately face an uphill battle in settling the books for fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1. Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for settle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settle
Verb
  • As the novel goes on, the more brutal a character’s conditions are, the more carefully Choi writes them, forcing readers to slow down and inhabit them.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 3 June 2025
  • With the help of vampire-biochemist Matthew Clairmont (Matthew Goode), Diana sets about solving the book's mysteries while avoiding attacks from angry spirits and monsters that inhabit the pages.
    Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • The attorney general said that after the Supreme Court sided with Glossip earlier this year, his office reviewed the merits of the case against him and decided there is sufficient evidence to secure another conviction.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 9 June 2025
  • Clalit, after a review, decided to dismiss the complaint against Qasem Hassan.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • The park hosts various stargazing events, and larger groups can arrange hour-long astronomy programs (pending staff availability).
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
  • Fun fact: Cohen arranged the casting contract for his former Goonies costar Ke Huy Quan for Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022).
    Sarah Weldon, EW.com, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough can usually be seen perched atop the Senate dais, helping to make sure the Senate floor runs according to the rules.
    Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 3 June 2025
  • He's perched on a tan recliner at the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
    Jon Hamilton, NPR, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • In April, Awake Illinois lodged similar allegations against Valley View District 365-U, which inspired passionate pleas in support of LGBTQ+ youth at a school board meeting for the Bolingbrook-Romeoville district.
    Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
  • One of Diddy’s lawyers, Brian Steel, who rose to prominence for defending Young Thug during his RICO trial in Atlanta, lodged this question during accuser Mia’s second day of cross-examination.
    Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • To that end, the majority of the songs Metallica performed on Saturday night were all composed and written when original members Ulrich and Hetfield were still in their 20s.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2025
  • And so yet another coalition, composed of nonprofits and advocacy groups, wrote its own petition for OpenAI’s plans to be investigated, with the aim of preventing charitable organizations from being leveraged for financial gain in the future.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • As of Friday evening, the blaze has been fully contained.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
  • Yet even this minor film contains major pleasures, including Mia Threapleton’s whipcrack deadpan as Zsa-Zsa’s estranged daughter, a daffy Michael Cera as a Norwegian entomologist, and gorgeous evocation of a fictitious yet allusive Middle East.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Blanchfield’s management team reported that she will be paid her full show and win money for UFC Vegas 107.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • The Guardians are paying him $10 million this year, and Bieber can opt for a $4 million buyout or a $16 million deal for next season.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settle. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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