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
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
Verb
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
Cite this Entry
“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settle. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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