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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Relevance
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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
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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as in to cool
to become still and orderly
settle down and get to work, please
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as in to choose
to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration
the car buyer settled on that brand only after a lot of research
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of settle
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
They were welcomed into the world at 29 weeks and spent some time in NICU before settling into their home with their two brothers, who are now two and four years old.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Sire Spirits fired him and went into arbitration, which was settled in Sire’s favor.
—Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Most likely, this part of the dispute will not be settled until July 30, when a hearing is scheduled on the motions for sanctions.
—Ashley Belanger – May 27, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2025
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Verb
Instead, the zoning dispute will be settled in court.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
They were welcomed into the world at 29 weeks and spent some time in NICU before settling into their home with their two brothers, who are now two and four years old.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Sire Spirits fired him and went into arbitration, which was settled in Sire’s favor.
—Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Most likely, this part of the dispute will not be settled until July 30, when a hearing is scheduled on the motions for sanctions.
—Ashley Belanger – May 27, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for settle
Cite this Entry
“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settle. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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