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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 calm
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of settle
The case was settled out of court in 2022, with Andrew admitting no wrongdoing.
—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
By mile 34, the winter light had begun to settle over the landscape.
—Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Court records show the lawsuit was settled out of court in January 2025.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 5 Feb. 2026
With wind chills that low, frostbite can settle in in as little as 15 minutes.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for settle
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
By mile 34, the winter light had begun to settle over the landscape.
—Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Court records show the lawsuit was settled out of court in January 2025.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 5 Feb. 2026
With wind chills that low, frostbite can settle in in as little as 15 minutes.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for settle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settle
Verb
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Calvert-Lewin’s travails with Everton are laid bare in that final column.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
And that equivocation should lay bare Strider’s personal opinion about the latest high-profile instance of ICE enforcement.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The grenades detonated on the terrace of a residential building, which was inhabited by a family with children, according to the AP.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
-
As described in The Independent, a monstrous eruption of lava approximately 182 million years ago eliminated the abundant dinosaur population that once inhabited this picturesque region.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Most recently, in 1995, voters there only narrowly decided to remain.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Her parents pay for her apartment in a Brooklyn brownstone, and her biggest inconvenience seems to be that her sister has decided to live there, too — in the spare bedroom that’s not even in use.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors claim Sainz Salazar served as a key fentanyl producer for the Chapitos from about 2022 through 2025, helping manufacture millions of pills, arranging drug transactions under armed protection and operating labs that later became central to the group’s fentanyl production.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Mustique also has a small hotel, Cotton House, where 17 guest rooms and suites are arranged between a two-story building and a series of garden cottages.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mona’s memorial was held at Skyrim, the family farmhouse perched on a hilltop outside Columbia, Missouri.—
Shannon Taggart,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
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In her videos, which often draw tens of thousands of views, Neilis' children — ranging in age from 2 years old to 14 — are perched on the countertop or on her hip.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The settlement agreement, lodged in Los Angeles federal court, says the DOJ will no longer seek access to minors’ most sensitive unmodified medical records at CHLA — including mental health treatment notes, prescribing information and other personal details related to gender-affirming care.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
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The previously slumping Geekie scored two goals, including the game-winner late in the third period, a shot that was hammered so hard that no one saw the puck go in the net, until Geekie raced down and pointed to where the puck was lodged.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The game calmed down in the third quarter — in which the Bulls gave up a single turnover for zero points — but that reprieve didn’t last once the Heat caught their breath.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
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The center will feature calming colors − such as browns, greens and blues − and natural wood flooring.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Emerging from the Working group, Penny beat out 2,499 other canines spread across seven different groups containing 204 total breeds to win the coveted prize.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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The polar vortex is a persistent, large-scale cyclone that circles the Arctic and contains extremely cold air.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settle. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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