as in relaxing
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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
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2
as in populating
to supply with inhabitants
the region was originally settled by farmers
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3
as in deciding
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 arranging
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 perching
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 lodging
to establish or place comfortably or snugly
settled the sleeping baby into her crib
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7
as in composing
to free from distress or disturbance
a hot meal settled the children down
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8
as in containing
to gain emotional or mental control of
settled himself only with visible effort after the angry outburst
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9
as in paying
to give what is owed for
settle a debt
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10
as in determining
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
this information should settle the question of who is right
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11
as in shushing
to stop the noise or speech of
settled the class with a firm "quiet!"
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of settling
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Joan asked, settling in beside them with a glass of white wine.
—Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Starting in 1916, more than 7 million Black Americans left the South, and Chicago became one of the primary destinations of the Great Migration, with hundreds of thousands settling in the city; educators, architects, farmers and more in search of a better life.
—Edie Kasten, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
The youngest sons of former Dodge County, Wisconsin, Sheriff Edwin Nehls, were raised in the Badger State before settling in Texas as adults.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
The church dates back to the 1840s, when German families were settling in the area.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
In addition to the waste from duplication, the DA has noted that the new unit could threaten complex cases involving coordination with the state attorney general and end up prematurely settling cases that are part of larger investigations.
—Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Thanks, as always, for the questions … With team settling in, NOW predict what the QB depth chart will look like in the fall.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
Experts estimate settling a suit can cost a business $5,000 to $15,000 plus defense fees.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Individuals who remain in the class and submit valid claims release their rights to sue Cargill or Tyson over the same allegations, but retain any rights against non-settling defendants.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
But nobody seemed bothered Saturday night by the new stadium’s location, or by the work left to be done finishing it, or by the long delay realizing this night, or even by settling for a draw.
—Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Joan asked, settling in beside them with a glass of white wine.
—Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Starting in 1916, more than 7 million Black Americans left the South, and Chicago became one of the primary destinations of the Great Migration, with hundreds of thousands settling in the city; educators, architects, farmers and more in search of a better life.
—Edie Kasten, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
The youngest sons of former Dodge County, Wisconsin, Sheriff Edwin Nehls, were raised in the Badger State before settling in Texas as adults.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
The church dates back to the 1840s, when German families were settling in the area.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
In addition to the waste from duplication, the DA has noted that the new unit could threaten complex cases involving coordination with the state attorney general and end up prematurely settling cases that are part of larger investigations.
—Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Thanks, as always, for the questions … With team settling in, NOW predict what the QB depth chart will look like in the fall.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
Experts estimate settling a suit can cost a business $5,000 to $15,000 plus defense fees.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settling
Adjective
-
Few things can ruin a relaxing afternoon outdoors faster than an uninvited wasp buzzing around your head.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The cocooning effect is helped along by Jacques Garcia’s interiors, layered with taupes and burgundies, velvet and lacquer (and some 6,000 meters of damask silk thrown in the mix), into a hideaway that’s both ornate and relaxing.—
Lindsey Tramuta,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While falling oil prices may ease immediate inflation fears, the broader impact of energy spikes during the war is still filtering through the global economy.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, the record pulls from a specific strain of ’80s Australian rock, filtering it through a darker, post-punk lens inspired by bands like the Sisters of Mercy and Magazine.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As more spacecraft are slated to start populating this area thanks to private companies launching their own satellites and landers (more on that shortly), resolving how to remain safe in cislunar space is top of mind.—
Monisha Ravisetti,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Geographic isolation and cold temperatures have actually hindered snakes from populating the wilds of many islands; New Zealand, Iceland and Greenland are all also snake-free.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Stars made sacrificial effort plays that could convince most spectators this was a playoff showdown — Jamal Murray diving into the second row to save a loose ball, Aaron Gordon developing a limp then playing through it to guard De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama on game-deciding possessions.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Daily use and care should also be considered when deciding whether to toss or keep.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But many booth owners take great care on their displays and spend their free time arranging their wares just so.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Long before Manhattan's iconic street grid took shape, an English widow laid the groundwork for a settlement in Brooklyn, arranging a small village in what would become the United States into one of the first grid patterns.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Birds need a complete habitat that includes food, shelter, nesting areas and perching spots.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The department recommends staggering bloom times to make sure hummingbirds have a food source for the entire season, as well as providing a source of water and trees or tall shrubs for nesting and perching.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The people were lodging complaints about the government's intensifying crackdown on the internet that has seen regular shutdowns of cellphone internet connections, blocked popular messaging apps and cut access to thousands of other websites and digital services.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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But House Democrats say their removal from committee doesn't go far enough, lodging an ethics complaint against Engen and Hudson after a photo taken hours before the arrest showing the pair eating lunch and drinking at a restaurant nearby before returning to the Capitol for floor debate afterwards.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The study—drawing from more than 41 million shifts and 268 million hours worked—finds Gen Z is leading the way in poly-employment, composing more than half (55%) of those engaged in the practice.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Badauni served at Akbar’s court while composing a work deeply hostile to his patron; the text could only be privately circulated to a limited audience during Akbar’s lifetime and remained suppressed until after Jahangir’s accession in 1605.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Settling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settling. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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