Entry Word: settle

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 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 lay, sediment

Related Words filter, screen, sieve, sift, strain; resettle

Near Antonyms disturb, mix, stir

Antonyms raise

2 to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute) <settled the lawsuit in favor of the defendant> — see judge 1
3 to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of <settled their wedding plans without any major disagreements> — see arrange 1
4 to come to rest after descending from the air <birds settling on the branches of the maple tree> — see alight
5 to establish or place comfortably or snugly <settled the sleeping baby into her crib> — see ensconce 1
6 to free from distress or disturbance <a hot meal settled the children down> — see calm 1
7 to gain emotional or mental control of <settled himself only with visible effort after the angry outburst> — see collect 1
8 to give what is owed for <settle a debt> — see pay 2
9 to make final, definite, or beyond dispute <this information should settle the question of who is right> — see clinch
10 to stop the noise or speech of <settled the class with a firm “quiet!”> — see silence 1