Synonyms of settle

settle

verb

ˈse-tᵊl 

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

• lay
• filter
• clear
• sediment
• clarify
• sift
• screen
• strain
• resettle
• sieve

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• raise
• stir
• mix
• disturb
• agitate

2

as in to inhabit

to supply with inhabitants

the region was originally settled by farmers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inhabit
• populate
• people
• colonize
• move (to)
• relocate (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• depopulate
• unpeople

3

as in to decide

to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)

settled the lawsuit in favor of the defendant

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decide
• arbitrate
• adjudicate
• determine
• adjudge
• resolve
• judge
• prosecute
• rule (on)
• hear
• weigh
• consider
• referee
• deem
• mediate
• ponder
• try
• umpire
• conclude
• deliberate
• negotiate
• moderate
• find (for or against)
• size up
• redetermine
• rejudge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hedge
• equivocate
• skirt
• pussyfoot

4

as in to arrange

to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of

settled their wedding plans without any major disagreements

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decide
• arrange
• choose
• resolve
• set
• agree (on)
• complete
• fix
• plan
• figure
• dispose of
• finalize
• finish
• determine
• design
• conclude
• promise
• approve
• calculate
• negotiate
• confirm
• scheme
• opt
• shape
• chart
• pledge
• contract
• deal
• maneuver
• draft
• authorize
• work out
• close
• lay out
• affirm
• concert
• blueprint
• program
• sanction
• hammer out
• OK
• frame
• warrant
• schematize
• end
• wind up
• bargain
• map (out)
• square away
• intrigue
• wrap up
• haggle
• round (off or out)
• horse-trade
• dicker
• clear
• chaffer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• call
• recall
• drop
• revoke
• rescind
• repeal
• differ (over)
• disagree (with)
• resist
• oppose
• abort
• call off
• counter
• object
• protest
• debate
• dispute
• contest

5

as in to perch

to come to rest after descending from the air

birds settling on the branches of the maple tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

• perch
• land
• alight
• touch down
• light
• roost
• crash-land
• belly-land

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• arise
• take off
• climb
• ascend
• plane
• fly
• float
• blast off
• wing
• hang
• soar
• glide
• hover

6

as in to lodge

to establish or place comfortably or snugly

settled the sleeping baby into her crib

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lodge
• nestle
• perch
• position
• park
• install
• locate
• roost
• plant
• situate
• ensconce
• deploy
• station
• house
• camp
• set
• anchor
• fix
• camp (out)
• curl up
• burrow
• emplace
• dig in
• harbor
• bivouac

7

as in to calm

to free from distress or disturbance

a hot meal settled the children down

Synonyms & Similar Words

• calm
• compose
• soothe
• lull
• appease
• relax
• quiet
• still
• quieten
• relieve
• salve
• tranquilize
• placate
• quell
• hush
• pacify
• conciliate
• alleviate
• mitigate
• mollify
• becalm
• allay
• lullaby
• ease
• lay
• assuage
• sedate
• solace
• narcotize
• stupefy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disturb
• upset
• agitate
• perturb
• intensify
• vex
• aggravate
• heighten
• arouse
• stir (up)
• discompose
• rouse
• key (up)
• incite
• disquiet
• excite
• foment
• work up

8

as in to contain

to gain emotional or mental control of

settled himself only with visible effort after the angry outburst

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contain
• compose
• calm
• restrain
• collect
• control
• re-collect
• recover
• hold back
• lull
• soothe
• rally
• still
• quiet
• tranquilize

9

as in to pay

to give what is owed for

settle a debt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pay
• meet
• stand
• balance
• liquidate
• pay off
• pay up
• foot
• discharge
• quit
• clear
• spring (for)
• ante (up)
• pony up
• recompense

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repudiate

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

• decide
• determine
• clinch
• clarify
• prove
• establish
• define
• ensure
• insure
• assure
• secure
• nail
• affirm
• specify
• show
• nail (down)
• demonstrate
• state
• stipulate
• finish
• illuminate
• end
• conclude
• clear (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuse
• muddy
• unsettle
• muddle

11

as in to shush

to stop the noise or speech of

settled the class with a firm "quiet!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shush
• silence
• dumb
• quiet
• mute
• hush
• quell
• still
• shut up
• extinguish
• quieten
• squelch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stir
• agitate

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

Recent Examples of settle

Away from social media, the roommates have settled into simple traditions that have only strengthened their friendship. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026

Gendron said his ancestors were among the first outsiders to settle the island in the 1700s, when three brothers, fur traders all, left Canada and followed the Mississippi south. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

In a conference hall near the entrance, 16 trainees settle into plastic chairs for an introductory presentation on solar installation, a course launched this year as Buildher expands into additional technical trades. — Christopher Clark, NPR, 5 July 2026

Wins against Haiti and Scotland settled the nerves, but those same fallibilities were on show in the last-32 tie with Japan before Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli’s goals turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win. — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Phrases Containing settle

• settle (down)
• settle (on or upon)