settle

verb

ˈse-tᵊl How to pronounce settle (audio)
Definition of settlenext
1
as in to lay
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 to inhabit
to supply with inhabitants the region was originally settled by farmers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to decide
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 to arrange
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 to perch
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 to lodge
to establish or place comfortably or snugly settled the sleeping baby into her crib

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7
as in to calm
to free from distress or disturbance a hot meal settled the children down

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in to contain
to gain emotional or mental control of settled himself only with visible effort after the angry outburst

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9
as in to pay
to give what is owed for settle a debt

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10
as in to determine
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute this information should settle the question of who is right

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11
as in to shush
to stop the noise or speech of settled the class with a firm "quiet!"

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb settle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of settle are decide, determine, resolve, and rule. While all these words mean "to come or cause to come to a conclusion," settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.

the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy

When might decide be a better fit than settle?

While in some cases nearly identical to settle, decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy.

she decided to sell her house

When is it sensible to use determine instead of settle?

The words determine and settle can be used in similar contexts, but determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.

determined the cause of the problem

When would resolve be a good substitute for settle?

In some situations, the words resolve and settle are roughly equivalent. However, resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something.

he resolved to quit smoking

In what contexts can rule take the place of settle?

Although the words rule and settle have much in common, rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.

the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

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 settle The ruling settled who is allowed to collect a payment in a game. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Ladoo's grandmother shoos away flies that have settled on his milk bottle and feeds the baby. — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026 Inside, children danced to music from the DJ before settling into their seats, many preparing to watch a rodeo for the very first time. — Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026 Those two talked for about 10 minutes while my wife and I were settled at the table. — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for settle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settle
  1. lay
  2. inhabit
  3. decide
  4. arrange
  5. perch
  6. lodge
  7. calm
  8. contain
Verb
  • The collision laid bare the danger at the most volatile front of Europe’s wildfire emergency.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Their experiences and connections can help lay the groundwork for a successful transition.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of lay
Verb
  • Rather than illustrating emotion, the music creates the emotional landscape the characters already inhabit.
    — JD Linville, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
  • What character does is govern how a person understands and inhabits these qualities with humanity, with justice, with humility, with the appropriate lightness of not confusing oneself for one’s category.
    — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of inhabit
Verb
  • Instead of dwelling on the crime, the owners decided to respond with humor, posting the video on Instagram with a mock 0-star review for the burglary crew.
    — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Florida’s August primary election is here, offering voters the opportunity to cast ballots in contests that will set up November clashes for governor, Congress and the state Legislature, and decide local races and referenda in counties and cities.
    — Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Definition of decide
Verb
  • The production company asked Netflix in person and in writing to agree to delete any files transferred to a projector during screening and to arrange to promptly return the screener after viewing.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
  • They are systematically arranged, customer-focused, and global in scope.
    — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of arrange
Verb
  • Figures depicting the Pink Panther, Spider Man and the Minions have perched or crawled atop the Dome.
    — Mandalit del Barco, NPR, 31 July 2026
  • The rocks can provide birds with a safe place to perch when bathing, too.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2026
Definition of perch
Verb
  • Great music is memorable, but cinematic music lodges deep in our brain, the sounds and images tracking forever in unison.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Experiences may eventually become a larger part of the platform, but Hachey emphasized that the next year will be focused on lodging execution.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of lodge
Verb
  • Another benefit is traffic-calming because Waymo vehicles are programmed to follow the speed limit, Pluckebaum said.
    — Madison Smalstig July 31, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
  • The cabinets were chosen to feel calming without looking flat or cold.
    — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of calm
Verb
  • Eden Housing plans to build a four- or five-story building containing 50 to 60 units of affordable housing for seniors at the site, said Charles Liuzzo, Eden’s director of real estate development.
    — Theresa Clift July 29, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
  • All told, the guiding strategic defense principle contained in the handbook tends to be reactive rather than proactive.
    — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of contain

Phrases Containing settle

Browse Nearby Words

setting upon
settle
settled
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Cite this Entry

“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settle. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on settle

Nglish: Translation of settle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about settle

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