1
as in lays
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 inhabits
to supply with inhabitants
the region was originally settled by farmers
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3
as in decides
to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)
settled the lawsuit in favor of the defendant
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4
as in arranges
to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of
settled their wedding plans without any major disagreements
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5
as in perches
to come to rest after descending from the air
birds settling on the branches of the maple tree
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6
as in nestles
to establish or place comfortably or snugly
settled the sleeping baby into her crib
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7
as in calms
to free from distress or disturbance
a hot meal settled the children down
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8
as in contains
to gain emotional or mental control of
settled himself only with visible effort after the angry outburst
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9
as in pays
to give what is owed for
settle a debt
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10
as in determines
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
this information should settle the question of who is right
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of settles
Venturella’s appointment comes as Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin settles into his role atop the Cabinet agency overseeing ICE.
—
Heather Hollingsworth, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
There will be both winners and losers when the dust settles.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
That overextension also affects tone, as Salvadori never quite settles on how sharp the film should be.
—Ben Croll, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
The front-month Brent contract, for example, settles two months out.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 12 May 2026
These systems evaluate device telemetry, typing rhythm, and spending velocity before a transaction ever settles.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Tyreek Hill settles with OnlyFans model Just the perfect end to the perfect story.
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
As the dust settles after Wednesday’s final day, here is a season recap and a look at the area’s league champions, along with automatic postseason qualifiers, and teams that will hope for an at-large berth.
—Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 8 May 2026
No court case settles the question.
—Nick Sullivan
may 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2026
Heather Hollingsworth, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
There will be both winners and losers when the dust settles.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
That overextension also affects tone, as Salvadori never quite settles on how sharp the film should be.
—Ben Croll, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
The front-month Brent contract, for example, settles two months out.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 12 May 2026
These systems evaluate device telemetry, typing rhythm, and spending velocity before a transaction ever settles.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Tyreek Hill settles with OnlyFans model Just the perfect end to the perfect story.
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
As the dust settles after Wednesday’s final day, here is a season recap and a look at the area’s league champions, along with automatic postseason qualifiers, and teams that will hope for an at-large berth.
—Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 8 May 2026
No court case settles the question.
—Nick Sullivan
may 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settles
Verb
-
In one scene, Little Death lays outrageously bloody waste to the frisky incoming counselors of Camp Miasma (played by Zach Cherry, Quintessa Swindell, and Eva Victor, among others) in a long take set to a needle drop that shouldn’t be spoiled but that adds up to something worthy of blissing out to.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
-
Others, however, see a more positive road ahead for the rapid deployment of renewables not only in Cuba, but also elsewhere, as the costs of clean tech continue to fall and geopolitical turbulence lays bare the perils of relying on fossil fuel imports.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Rebecca Montero’s lighting design and Steve Covey’s projection design helps define the many places Moses inhabits, shifting the mood and focus with subtle changes that suggest everything from cold, city streets to synagogues to the Berkshire woods.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
-
Over pinwheeling synths, Mahesh inhabits her narrator’s misplaced longing with gooey, heart-eyed delusion and sweetly pathetic determination.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
So in that sense, a lot of what clipping does is help good artists find the audiences who would’ve liked them anyway by accelerating the early excitement just enough to push them past the algorithmic threshold that decides who gets discovered and who doesn’t.—
Lane Brown,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
And the audience, Hammond has come to understand, is ultimately the one who decides.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Verb
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In Bilt’s model, Kerr said, a member books through Resy or OpenTable, the system automatically arranges a Lyft to the restaurant, payment processes through Toast at the table, and the loyalty points post — without anyone coordinating the chain.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
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Next, Butac arranges a bunch of the beans on two trays and roasts them for a specific amount of time before separating the shells from the beans and then running the bean fragments, also known as nibs, through a mill.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Live streams from entertainment events like the Grammys or Golden Globes aren’t typically perches for controversy, but, says Anthony McCartney, AP’s entertainment and lifestyles editor, celebrities will sometimes be asked to weigh in on recent headlines.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Even the squirrels in the backyard and the bird that perches on the deck are put on notice.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lech nestles along the eponymous river, tucked in amongst Austria’s westernmost mountains.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
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Boasting a playful curved lip that fits neatly in your palm and elegantly nestles one after the other in a stack, these wavy plates are an exceptionally sculptural way to set the table.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Something about seeing the gentle flow of an expansive body of water immediately calms the nerves, sending your mind into a state of sweet stillness.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
-
When risk is clear, the brain calms down enough to think.—
Gerald J. Leonard,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The grain contains avenanthramides, which are antioxidants found exclusively in oats, says Coogan.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
17 May 2026
-
Wallace Chan’s Secular Interpretation of Religious Rituals Oil and water play central roles in the installation, which, like many of Chan’s creations, contains layered meanings.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Settles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settles. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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