decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy.
she decided to sell her house
determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.
determined the cause of the problem
settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.
the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy
rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.
the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible
resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something.
he resolved to quit smoking
Examples of settle in a Sentence
Verb
They were determined to settle the dispute before going home for the day.
The two sides have settled their differences.
We need to settle this question once and for all. That settles it. I can't take the day off from work, so I'm not going.
His grandparents were immigrants from Germany who settled in Pennsylvania.
He always thought he'd leave the city and settle in the country.
the people who settled the West
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Verb
Whether the next superintendent comes from the city or the district is significant because whoever takes over will immediately face an uphill battle in settling the books for fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1.—Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025 Like so many freshman comedies in the streaming age, the first season just doesn’t have enough episodes to settle into a comfortable rhythm.—Alison Herman, Variety, 28 May 2025
Noun
New users will receive eight $25 bonus bets that are valid for up to one week after the original wager settles.—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025 These bonus bets are valid for up to one week after the original wager settles.—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for settle
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, to seat, bring to rest, come to rest, from Old English setlan, from setl seat
Noun
Middle English, place for sitting, seat, chair, from Old English setl; akin to Old High German sezzal seat, Latin sella seat, chair, Old English sittan to sit
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