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
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Relevance
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2
as in inhabits
to supply with inhabitants
the region was originally settled by farmers
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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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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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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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10
as in determines
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
this information should settle the question of who is right
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Cite this Entry
“Settles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settles. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.
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