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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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
See how things look after the dust settles.
—
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
From up here, San Sebastián gleams to the east, the sea stretches endlessly forward, and silence settles like an ancient cloak.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Your 4th House of Home and Family centers as the Moon, planet of emotions, settles there, while unconventional Uranus energizes your 10th House of Career.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 30 May 2026
The dish originated at Coconuts Fort Lauderdale, where it’s served with bread to sop up the savory butter medley that settles at the bottom of the bowl.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Her memoir settles a few scores, generally with a stiletto rather than a hatchet.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Another said that crate training could help give Gosselin a break while Koda settles in.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 27 May 2026
As the dust settles on a campaign that began with high hopes and ended with a sense of blessed relief, here is The Athletic’s end-of-season review.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 27 May 2026
So the material from underwater eruptions settles close to its source.
—Quanta Magazine, 26 May 2026
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
From up here, San Sebastián gleams to the east, the sea stretches endlessly forward, and silence settles like an ancient cloak.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Your 4th House of Home and Family centers as the Moon, planet of emotions, settles there, while unconventional Uranus energizes your 10th House of Career.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 30 May 2026
The dish originated at Coconuts Fort Lauderdale, where it’s served with bread to sop up the savory butter medley that settles at the bottom of the bowl.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Her memoir settles a few scores, generally with a stiletto rather than a hatchet.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Another said that crate training could help give Gosselin a break while Koda settles in.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 27 May 2026
As the dust settles on a campaign that began with high hopes and ended with a sense of blessed relief, here is The Athletic’s end-of-season review.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 27 May 2026
So the material from underwater eruptions settles close to its source.
—Quanta Magazine, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settles
Verb
-
That evening, Beth pays Beulah a visit and lays all her cards on the table.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
Rather, screwworm infestations begin when a female fly lays eggs on a wound or body opening.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
But unlike Disclosure or Airframe or—above all—State of Fear, his spate of latter-day thrill-eds, Sphere unpolemically inhabits this epistemology of doubt that colors so much of his work.—
Ian Mackenzie,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
-
The trees here don't speak to people, but locals say the spirit of an old man inhabits the shadows between the branches.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Now, technology decides everything.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Deborah decides to pursue treatment after all, if only to buy enough time to work a little more.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Aria even has a musical director, who arranges performances and special events and compiles soundtracks for individual stays.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
4 June 2026
-
Residents Medical arranges rotations with careful attention to specialty alignment.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Head to Stoos, which perches on a plateau at the base of the Fronalpstock in central Switzerland.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2026
-
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
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
-
Something about seeing the gentle flow of an expansive body of water immediately calms the nerves, sending your mind into a state of sweet stillness.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
-
To avoid scorching a sweater or having your cords running unruly around your bag, this hot tool bag calms the accessory chaos with a handy heat-resistant mat with a zipper pouch that rolls up for compact storage.—
Carin Ryan,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Located in the bustling Chinese city of Hangzhou, the Prism contains 43,000 sq m (almost 463,000 sq ft) of floorspace, which is divided between hotel accommodation, residential units, offices, and retail space.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 June 2026
-
The novel contains riveting dialogue, words that dance around what cannot be said.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Settles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settles. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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