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 For now, this U.S. group will have to settle for a slight spark of belief that this can get back on track. Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 20 June 2025 Listen to this article OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma ‘s $7 billion-plus plan to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of opioids will go before a judge Friday, potentially setting up votes on whether to accept it for local governments, people who became addicted to the drug and other groups. Geoff Mulvihill, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025 Kurds make up some 10% of Iran’s population and are mostly settled along the borders with Iraq and Turkey. Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 20 June 2025 With the Yankees and Red Sox knotted up, the rivals will look to settle their first series of the season on Sunday Night Baseball. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for settle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settle
Verb
  • Lima, home to 10 million people, has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
  • The area is still inhabited by the Wampanoag tribe and that is the setting for the scene where Hooper, Brody and Mayor Vaughn have a showdown about warning people about the menacing great white shark.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Always, along the chain of hectic audience gossip, there was one person who decided to nip in the bud the talk about a too iconoclastic Beckett, and the relay to the estate was stopped; someone—more than one someone—who decided that Matthew and his crazy dreams were worth shielding.
    Han Ong, New Yorker, 22 June 2025
  • After a fun evening at the amusement park, the family decided to set Cade free.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Palm Beach County Commissioner Sara Baxter has rushed to arrange a commission vote, ratifying it.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025
  • Attentive staffers will be on hand for towel drops and spritz refills, as well as to help arrange water sports or beach games.
    Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Named for famous astronomer Vera Rubin, the observatory is perched on a mountain in northern Chile in the foothills of the Andes.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 23 June 2025
  • People are perched atop the car, as well as those hanging off its side, in an impressive, partially aerial twerk.
    Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Hargitay was found lodged under the passenger seat with a head injury, according to People.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025
  • In the film, the children's stepmother Ellen Hargitay explained that the adults initially missed Hargitay because she had been lodged under the passenger seat with a head injury.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, which is composed almost entirely of aluminum oxide.
    David Bressan, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Retired educators: The Retired Educators of Osceola County is composed of people who are retired from the field of education from anywhere in the country.
    Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • For reference, a cigarette typically contains 10 to 15 mg of nicotine.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 1 July 2025
  • The new collection contains 20 examples of chain-making expertise, many of which are paved with diamonds and paired with statement gems.
    Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Letarte expects teams to pay more attention to their In-Season Challenge competitors as the five-race tournament plays out, and the potential $1 million draws closer.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 26 June 2025
  • Hochul disagrees with Mamdani’s plan to raise taxes on the rich to pay for his plans as mayor, such as free child care and buses.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settle. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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