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
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Recent Examples of settles
But even the happiest houseplants can lose their luster when a fine layer of dust settles across their leaves.
—
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
The individual eventually settles on some greenery found in the yard.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
As dusk settles over Minneapolis, something unexpected appears on the side of the YWCA building.
—Derek James, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Sweeping and even vacuuming can kick up dust, which often settles on the top of baseboards.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
This trade was more about closure, as a wounded fan base settles into the rebuild around Flagg.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Out back, the property settles fully into resort territory with a heated saltwater lap pool, a cabana bath, and a gas fire pit overlooking the water.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
After this brief stretch of colder weather, a steady warming trend is expected from Thursday through Sunday as the ridge of high pressure to our west slowly shifts east and settles over Texas.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
Even my 61-year-old mom, who swore off heavy makeup that settles into fine lines, loves Touche Éclat.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 1 Feb. 2026
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
The individual eventually settles on some greenery found in the yard.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
As dusk settles over Minneapolis, something unexpected appears on the side of the YWCA building.
—Derek James, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Sweeping and even vacuuming can kick up dust, which often settles on the top of baseboards.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
This trade was more about closure, as a wounded fan base settles into the rebuild around Flagg.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Out back, the property settles fully into resort territory with a heated saltwater lap pool, a cabana bath, and a gas fire pit overlooking the water.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
After this brief stretch of colder weather, a steady warming trend is expected from Thursday through Sunday as the ridge of high pressure to our west slowly shifts east and settles over Texas.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
Even my 61-year-old mom, who swore off heavy makeup that settles into fine lines, loves Touche Éclat.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settles
Verb
-
His case also lays bare a US immigration system that routinely subjects migrants to prolonged detention under harsh conditions – one that human rights organizations say overwhelmingly ensnares Black and brown people far from the public spotlight.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
According to the San Diego Bird Alliance, the western snowy plover lays its eggs in loose sand with little cover along the Pacific coastline, leaving its nest largely unprotected from high tides and weather.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Moura inhabits the raw honesty of a man caught in the heart of authoritarianism, anchoring a timely, true-story-adjacent drama.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
-
On his own album, Granli inhabits each song with an arcane spirit, careful to never derail his fragile mystery.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps general manager Brett Veach decides to trade down.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
-
As a way to claim his inheritance, Becket decides to get rid of every other Redfellow in line for it.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the commercial, Affleck plays Matt Damon's titular character who arranges Munchkins in a Fibonacci sequence and loses his girlfriend to Brady.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The idea of an in-person meeting is suggested, and several years later, Porter arranges it.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Even the squirrels in the backyard and the bird that perches on the deck are put on notice.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Lech nestles along the eponymous river, tucked in amongst Austria’s westernmost mountains.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
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Soothing green tea leaf extract calms redness, while moisturizing butylene glycol leaves skin feeling dewier and smoother.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
27 Jan. 2026
-
When the tempo calms down for genuine soul-searching and truth-telling, the results may not be dramatically scintillating but there is a blunt and convincing force that registers between these two big beefy half-bros who aren’t used to expressing their feelings.—
Richard Kuipers,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Black tea contains polyphenols, such as theaflavins and thearubigins, that act like prebiotics, benefiting the bacteria in your microbiome.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
-
For instance, some soil contains too much clay, causing drainage problems.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Settles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settles. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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