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
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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
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
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of settles
Users who prefer the safety net offer can bet up to $1,000 on any market and bet a bonus refund if their bet settles as a loss.
—
Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Wilmington, North Carolina During the fall months, Wilmington settles into its natural coastal rhythm.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
Advertisement As Marissa watches Milo play in the finale’s closing moments, the weight settles into something that resembles peace.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 6 Nov. 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.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
As the seasons shift and the year settles into its final stretch, Black Hollywood continues to move in style.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 3 Nov. 2025
After a brief debate, the group settles on the swamp.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Boise and Treasure Valley residents have a chance to enjoy a beautiful fall Friday before a cold front bringing rainy weather and gusty winds settles into Southwest Idaho starting Saturday morning.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2025
During high-water months, water spills over and settles across the floodplain, leaving behind up to 12 inches of fresh soil annually.
—Isa Cardona, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Wilmington, North Carolina During the fall months, Wilmington settles into its natural coastal rhythm.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
Advertisement As Marissa watches Milo play in the finale’s closing moments, the weight settles into something that resembles peace.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 6 Nov. 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.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
As the seasons shift and the year settles into its final stretch, Black Hollywood continues to move in style.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 3 Nov. 2025
After a brief debate, the group settles on the swamp.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Boise and Treasure Valley residents have a chance to enjoy a beautiful fall Friday before a cold front bringing rainy weather and gusty winds settles into Southwest Idaho starting Saturday morning.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2025
During high-water months, water spills over and settles across the floodplain, leaving behind up to 12 inches of fresh soil annually.
—Isa Cardona, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settles
Verb
-
The Native American artist Chutto (Mato Wayuhi) throws a rock through the window and, when Lee chases him down, lays into Lee for getting his grandfather, Arthur (the late Graham Greene), killed.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
After giving the calf an allotted head start, a competitor rides to the calf, ropes it and dismounts, lays the calf down and ties three legs together.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Now 30, Deutch fully inhabits the complicated Seberg during the tumultuous filming of Jean-Luc Godard’s revolutionary 1960 masterpiece.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Fans have been tearing the new Springfield Island map apart to unearth Easter eggs and hidden gags, including a full dissection of the notorious wonky house that the family inhabits.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Major carriers are required to automatically rebook passengers whose flights are canceled at no charge — or refund the airfare if the passenger decides not to accept the new flight.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The story follows the complications that arise in female friendships when one of the characters decides to pose for a high school photography project.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
7 Nov. 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
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Next, Kat nestles a plastic headpiece shaped like a bighorn sheep rack onto me.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
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
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Meanwhile, Centella asiatica calms skin and keeps it comfortable for a balanced, radiance-enhancing treatment.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Merino wool, on the other hand, is a cold-weather classic, and my suitcase for winters in Wyoming always contains several tees and tops made with the fabric.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
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Honey contains mainy sugar along with amino acids, minerals ,and vitamins that give it antioxidant sand anti-inflammatory benefits.—
Gillian Mohney,
Verywell Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Settles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settles. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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