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
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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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in nestles
to establish or place comfortably or snugly
settled the sleeping baby into her crib
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7
as in calms
to free from distress or disturbance
a hot meal settled the children down
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in contains
to gain emotional or mental control of
settled himself only with visible effort after the angry outburst
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9
as in pays
to give what is owed for
settle a debt
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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
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Recent Examples of settles
Dolly Parton Continues Chasing First Bestseller As Parton settles into the runner-up space, she is kept from her first leader on the Digital Song Sales chart for the second time in her career.
—
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Given a steady object of focus, the mind settles.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Respiratory viruses are once again on the rise across California as the state settles into peak cold and flu season.
—Sacbee.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Thankfully, Thursday looks like the breeziest day before winds back down a bit Friday and Saturday as the coldest weather settles in.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Phoenix is headed for a warm, dry stretch that looks more like March than late January as a stubborn weather pattern settles over the West and highs flirt with 80 degrees over the weekend.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Trevor develops a soft spot for his mark, and the series settles into a caper of two guys clinging, desperately, to the dream of stardom.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2026
On Monday night, a Cold Weather Advisory goes into effect as arctic air settles in, sending temperatures into the mid- to upper-20s.
—Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 26 Jan. 2026
Whether or not this study settles the question of taxonomy, there’s much left to learn.
—Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 21 Jan. 2026
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Given a steady object of focus, the mind settles.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Respiratory viruses are once again on the rise across California as the state settles into peak cold and flu season.
—Sacbee.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Thankfully, Thursday looks like the breeziest day before winds back down a bit Friday and Saturday as the coldest weather settles in.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Phoenix is headed for a warm, dry stretch that looks more like March than late January as a stubborn weather pattern settles over the West and highs flirt with 80 degrees over the weekend.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Trevor develops a soft spot for his mark, and the series settles into a caper of two guys clinging, desperately, to the dream of stardom.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2026
On Monday night, a Cold Weather Advisory goes into effect as arctic air settles in, sending temperatures into the mid- to upper-20s.
—Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 26 Jan. 2026
Whether or not this study settles the question of taxonomy, there’s much left to learn.
—Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settles
Verb
-
The other is something more resembling that first one’s exact opposite—a dark and broody sipper, punchy and robust, liquid mollification reflecting that the best of the season is now officially behind us, and all that lays ahead is the long frigid slog toward spring.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Cartagena, Colombia, extending into the Caribbean Sea, is a wholly Latin American, wholly Caribbean, and even wholly African destination all at once—and its rich history lays the groundwork for one of the most enchanting cities in the region.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Each sound inhabits its own space, hardly touching the others.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
-
That tonal shift is mirrored not only in the storytelling, but in the places the series now inhabits.—
Chloe Laws,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Amazon is spending heavily on marketing — even as the company shed 16,000 workers just days before the film’s release — possibly because Prime Video exec Mike Hopkins, the guy who ultimately decides marketing budgets for the streamer’s films, is known to lean conservative.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
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Who decides to ask the questions, and who decides to write?—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The idea of an in-person meeting is suggested, and several years later, Porter arranges it.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
-
An employee arranges a salad dressing display at an Amazon Fresh grocery store on December 12, 2024 in Federal Way, Washington.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
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
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Boasting a playful curved lip that fits neatly in your palm and elegantly nestles one after the other in a stack, these wavy plates are an exceptionally sculptural way to set the table.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
26 Dec. 2025
-
Many creative platers like to cut a circular hole out of their bread loaf, which the butter candle then nestles inside.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The lotion also has a cooling effect that calms inflammation.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Soft, Layered Lighting Soft, layered lighting calms every room instantly, Saab assures.—
Kristin Hohenadel,
The Spruce,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Use Paint to Refresh Cracked Wood Start by cleaning the wood with hot, soapy water that contains a degreasing agent.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
-
DeFi advocates also want to ensure the market structure bill contains language allowing individuals to self-custody their crypto.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Settles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settles. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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