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
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3
as in to decide
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 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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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 compose
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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
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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
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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
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In a thousand-year-old sport where a split second can decide everything, two months will probably feel like an eternity.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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As mentioned above, there are myriad factors—international transportation bottlenecks, natural disasters and supplier insolvency, among others—that need to be considered simultaneously in real time to decide what’s best for the business.—
Sadagopan S,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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Hikers will also have the chance to lounge and swim from two beaches, Mosquito Beach, which is flanked by sandstone cliffs, and Chapel Beach, which sits at the mouth of Chapel River with a view of Chapel Rock, a sandstone arch with a solitary pine tree perched on its expanse.—
Graham Averill,
Outside Online,
30 May 2025
Verb
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The man targeted still has bullet bits lodged in his chest, Brown said.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
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First responders found a vehicle lodged in the roof.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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
Verb
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While Keisha’s mom struggles to pay her child’s private school tuition, Justin’s mom casually wears a Vivienne Westwood suit or a Zimmermann ensemble.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
2 June 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settle. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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