Synonyms of settle

settle 1 of 3

verb (1)

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
• negotiate
• calculate
• confirm
• scheme
• opt
• shape
• chart
• pledge
• contract
• deal
• okay
• maneuver
• draft
• authorize
• close
• work out
• lay out
• affirm
• concert
• blueprint
• program
• sanction
• hammer out
• frame
• OK
• warrant
• schematize
• end
• wind up
• bargain
• map (out)
• square away
• intrigue
• programme
• 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 compose

to free from distress or disturbance

a hot meal settled the children down

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compose
• calm
• lull
• soothe
• appease
• relax
• quiet
• still
• quieten
• salve
• tranquillize
• tranquilize
• relieve
• placate
• quell
• pacify
• conciliate
• hush
• 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

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

settle (down)

2 of 3

verb (2)

as in to cool

to become still and orderly

settle down and get to work, please

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cool
• calm (down)
• hush
• cool it
• chill out
• dry up
• relax
• quiet
• pipe down
• unwind
• zone out
• tranquillize
• tranquilize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• carry on
• cut up
• act up
• show off
• horse around
• fool around
• clown (around)
• monkey (around)
• skylark

settle (on or upon)

3 of 3

verb (3)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• choose
• figure
• decide
• opt
• resolve
• find
• determine
• conclude
• rule (on)
• name
• single (out)
• select
• elect
• rule
• pick
• decree
• prefer
• think (about or over)
• adjudicate
• chew over
• arbitrate
• adjudge
• mull (over)
• cull
• judge
• study
• weigh
• debate
• ponder
• deliberate
• entertain
• meditate
• contemplate
• consider
• handpick
• referee
• umpire
• question
• ruminate
• cogitate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• turn down
• refuse
• reject
• abstain
• decline
• delay
• hesitate
• halt
• stall
• temporize
• vacillate
• waver
• waffle
• shilly-shally

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of settle

Verb

Chlorine gas can quickly settle into lower elevations such as the inner canyon, posing a health risk, officials added. —Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 13 July 2025

Saugatuck was first settled in 1830 by William Butler, although it was not originally called Saugatuck, the Holland Sentinel reported. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 13 July 2025

The company demanded huge amounts to settle — amounts that left small business owners in fear of closing or having to lay off employees. —John L. Mica, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2025

They are built off-site in Germany, transported to the site, and settled into place with a small crane crew. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025

Phrases Containing settle

• settle (down)
• settle (on or upon)