1
as in lays
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 inhabits
to supply with inhabitants
the region was originally settled by farmers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in decides
to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)
settled the lawsuit in favor of the defendant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in arranges
to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of
settled their wedding plans without any major disagreements
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in perches
to come to rest after descending from the air
birds settling on the branches of the maple tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in nestles
to establish or place comfortably or snugly
settled the sleeping baby into her crib
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in calms
to free from distress or disturbance
a hot meal settled the children down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in contains
to gain emotional or mental control of
settled himself only with visible effort after the angry outburst
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in pays
to give what is owed for
settle a debt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in determines
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of settles
Auburn’s red-zone defense has been strong, but its pass coverage from linebackers and safeties has been a weak point, potentially creating an area Missouri could exploit if quarterback Beau Pribula settles in early.
—
Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
Sign up here and bet $5 on the MLB postseason, college football or NFL this weekend and get the bonus bets if your initial wager settles as a win.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
After only eight minutes, Mason Mount’s neat finish settles any nerves.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, newlyweds Ivy and Potts adjust to married life, a new detective settles in at Scotland Yard, and Nash causes chaos, even from across the globe.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
As fall settles in, the stars are still shining bright—both on and off the court.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 13 Oct. 2025
Over time, that greasy film that settles on your wood cabinets can trap dirt and dust, making the buildup hard to remove.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
In the event Oracle settles below $300 there is risk in being put to the stock.
—Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
As California settles into cold season, there are new vaccines to combat viral infections, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus , according to doctors.
—Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
Sign up here and bet $5 on the MLB postseason, college football or NFL this weekend and get the bonus bets if your initial wager settles as a win.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
After only eight minutes, Mason Mount’s neat finish settles any nerves.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, newlyweds Ivy and Potts adjust to married life, a new detective settles in at Scotland Yard, and Nash causes chaos, even from across the globe.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
As fall settles in, the stars are still shining bright—both on and off the court.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 13 Oct. 2025
Over time, that greasy film that settles on your wood cabinets can trap dirt and dust, making the buildup hard to remove.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
In the event Oracle settles below $300 there is risk in being put to the stock.
—Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
As California settles into cold season, there are new vaccines to combat viral infections, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus , according to doctors.
—Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settles
Verb
-
His work lays the foundation for improved weather forecasting, the MacArthur Foundation said.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
New satellite imagery lays bare the sheer scale of the destruction in the Gaza Strip with two years of Israeli bombardment having turned much of the landscape into a wasteland.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Town of Campbell, outside of La Crosse, also discovered widespread PFAS contamination of private wells, likely stemming from the use of firefighting foam at the La Crosse Regional Airport, which inhabits a portion of the small island in between the Black and Mississippi Rivers.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The team that inhabits it is often called inevitable — immune to pressure and impossible to put away.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As the team struggles with grief, Sharon decides to pull Station 42 off active duty entirely, rather than assign a new captain.—
Alamin Yohannes,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
-
But as his involvement in the burglary is realized, Mooney decides to make a run for it.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Financial compatibility is a necessity, but a partner who arranges things and therefore shows effort is vital.—
Essence,
Essence,
8 Oct. 2025
-
An employee arranges a salad dressing display at an Amazon Fresh grocery store on December 12, 2024 in Federal Way, Washington.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Ringed Kingfisher perches up to 30 feet above the surface, watching for medium-size fish and then plunging in headfirst with a mighty splash.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
And frequent appearances by a pigeon that perches on her windowsill like a Greek chorus, mocking her self-abasement and growing detachment from reality, seem a tad heavy-handed.—
Book Marks
August 28,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The way Skye nestles her head into the crook of her brother’s neck or drapes herself across his legs after an unembarrassed display of grief is ineffably moving.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Then, the still sweet voice calms me.—
BEA L. HINES,
Miami Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Centella asiatica calms skin and keeps it comfortable for a balanced, radiance-enhancing treatment.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Kombucha is a fermented tea that contains some sugar, but fermentation reduces how much your body actually absorbs.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Bluey Medley This to-go pack contains sliced apples, cheddar, and pretzels, says House.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Settles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settles. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share