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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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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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
Lisa Marie Malloy, Roy Whitaker, United States, 2026 Darkness settles over Little Egypt.
—
William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
While the Justice Department settles most tax matters civilly through fines, when prosecutors do charge criminal fraud, their conviction rate is over 90%.
—Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
The volume notches up as the audience settles in.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Once up to speed, however, the TX settles into an effortless rhythm, the cabin remaining exceptionally quiet even at highway velocity.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
Dynamism fades, and stasis settles in.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Your 12th House of Subtlety wakes as the Moon settles into Aries, inviting gentle reflection by writing a private note to capture feelings before obligations crowd your day.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2026
Golden hour settles over a village in Ouidah, Benin, deepening the red of the dusty earth beneath my feet.
—Georgina Lawton, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026
Eric settles on a new BTS release, a song about good times yet to come.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
While the Justice Department settles most tax matters civilly through fines, when prosecutors do charge criminal fraud, their conviction rate is over 90%.
—Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
The volume notches up as the audience settles in.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Once up to speed, however, the TX settles into an effortless rhythm, the cabin remaining exceptionally quiet even at highway velocity.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
Dynamism fades, and stasis settles in.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Your 12th House of Subtlety wakes as the Moon settles into Aries, inviting gentle reflection by writing a private note to capture feelings before obligations crowd your day.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2026
Golden hour settles over a village in Ouidah, Benin, deepening the red of the dusty earth beneath my feet.
—Georgina Lawton, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026
Eric settles on a new BTS release, a song about good times yet to come.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settles
Verb
-
Sean Gallup | Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday said the country had signed an agreement on defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia that lays the foundation for future contracts and investment.—
Anniek Bao,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The natural silk cord lays comfortably on the skin and the kelp pendant lends an ethereal touch that is elegant but slightly bohemian.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Tokara Leaf Warbler inhabits the Tokara Islands, located approximately 621 miles to the southwest.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
-
At the point of impact, where buildings shatter and flesh is shredded, the war inhabits the material world of awful human consequences.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Carolyn decides to attend Rory’s wedding.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
-
This is the kind of error that looks obvious in retrospect and invisible until someone decides to check.—
Paul M. Sutter,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This technology arranges pocketed coils in a honeycomb-style hexagonal matrix rather than traditional straight rows, allowing weight to be distributed more evenly across the mattress surface.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
-
In Morocco, Alex Wix of Wix Squared frequently arranges Sahara journeys with a private astronomer to interpret the constellations.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Live streams from entertainment events like the Grammys or Golden Globes aren’t typically perches for controversy, but, says Anthony McCartney, AP’s entertainment and lifestyles editor, celebrities will sometimes be asked to weigh in on recent headlines.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Even the squirrels in the backyard and the bird that perches on the deck are put on notice.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
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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Alongside ceramides, glycerin draws moisture into the skin, while panax ginseng root extract provides antioxidant support and calms irritation.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Your graceful mindset calms tension, while a tidy workspace restores focus and keeps cooperation smooth.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Frick contains an impressive collection of paintings by old masters (Bellini, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Gainsborough, Goya, Whistler), as well as European sculpture, fine furniture, and decorative arts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
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In addition, there's a spine pod that contains a satellite link that allows the aircraft to upload and download reams of data.—
David Szondy
March 29,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Settles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settles. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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