1
as in filtering
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 populating
to supply with inhabitants
the region was originally settled by farmers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deciding
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 arranging
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 perching
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 lodging
to establish or place comfortably or snugly
settled the sleeping baby into her crib
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in composing
to free from distress or disturbance
a hot meal settled the children down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in containing
to gain emotional or mental control of
settled himself only with visible effort after the angry outburst
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in paying
to give what is owed for
settle a debt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in determining
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
this information should settle the question of who is right
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in shushing
to stop the noise or speech of
settled the class with a firm "quiet!"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in relaxing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of settling
Law Murray, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The singer-songwriter, 35, and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 36 — whose garden proposal took place over the summer after recording their New Heights podcast episode — are still settling into their new engagement status.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Fall traditions are happening all over the capital region with different events and activities to participate in, settling into October, where things tend to get a little spooky.
—Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Despite Nacua’s strong performance, the Rams ultimately came up short against the 49ers in overtime after electing to go for it on fourth-and-short instead of settling for the tying field goal.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The drama will open with two new episodes before settling into a weekly rollout that concludes on December 18.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 3 Oct. 2025
About 40,000 German immigrants moved to the Lone Star State between the 1830s and 1890s, settling mainly in the Texas Hill Country.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
The plant is settling in and focusing on new root and shoot growth.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025
Farmingdale, New York — After a weekend of absolute bedlam at Bethpage, the dust is settling on an extraordinary Ryder Cup competition.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Jalen Suggs was starting at shooting guard before settling in at point guard before the playoffs.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The singer-songwriter, 35, and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 36 — whose garden proposal took place over the summer after recording their New Heights podcast episode — are still settling into their new engagement status.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Fall traditions are happening all over the capital region with different events and activities to participate in, settling into October, where things tend to get a little spooky.
—Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Despite Nacua’s strong performance, the Rams ultimately came up short against the 49ers in overtime after electing to go for it on fourth-and-short instead of settling for the tying field goal.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The drama will open with two new episodes before settling into a weekly rollout that concludes on December 18.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 3 Oct. 2025
About 40,000 German immigrants moved to the Lone Star State between the 1830s and 1890s, settling mainly in the Texas Hill Country.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
The plant is settling in and focusing on new root and shoot growth.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025
Farmingdale, New York — After a weekend of absolute bedlam at Bethpage, the dust is settling on an extraordinary Ryder Cup competition.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settling
Verb
-
Sorting centers follow strict cultural guidelines, filtering out prints that may evoke conflict, ensuring clothes can be handed over directly.—
Chizuru Muko,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Rather than fighting this inevitable tide, Köhler closely examines the subject without didacticism, filtering it through a passive-aggressive relationship drama, until only its most potent ingredients remain.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Today, almost every Apple device—or indeed, most of the smart devices populating our workplaces and homes—draws its intelligence from Arm's innovative chipset architecture.—
Tim Bajarin,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The 300-second exposure shows the wandering solar system body as a minute dot, barely distinguishable among the stellar giants populating the distant starfield beyond.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Perhaps Moreno was still deciding on Minasian’s status with the club.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The new wording also gives the council wiggle room in deciding the city manager's annual salary, contract term and amount of severance pay.—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Elite Asian Matchmaker is a white-glove service that handles all the logistics, from vetting potential matches to arranging dates, allowing clients to simply show up and enjoy the experience.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The tour company optimized the schedule to match workers' paid time off, by arranging departure days scheduled around holidays or weekends, which minimizes the days a traveler would need to take from work.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Other photos show it while perching on the plant.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
-
TikTok users were able to see two cats perching over a bathroom sink, which had been filled with tap water.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Amanda Worman, a former employee of the farm who had contacted PETA about her concerns, which led to PETA lodging a complaint with the Idaho Department of Agriculture, told the Statesman that she was disappointed PETA had dismissed the lawsuit.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
23 Sep. 2025
-
There are also two lodging options, the full-service Loews Ventana Canyon resort with nearly 400 rooms and suites, and the Ventana Canyon Club & Lodge, more residential, with lodging in 50 spacious suites.—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For Ares, Nine Inch Nails will be composing the soundtrack, bringing their iconic industrial rock sound to the Grid.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The difference is that composing while in motion may be a particularly useful way to address a crisis in creativity.—
Karen Palmer
September 19,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, people who are allergic to olives should avoid all products containing olives, including olive oil.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The suspect, who had been living in the town of Starnberg south of the city, had been carrying a backpack containing an explosive device, a Bavaria police statement said earlier.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Settling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settling. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share