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

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2
as in to inhabit
to supply with inhabitants the region was originally settled by farmers

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3
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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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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
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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 Listen to this article San Diego is paying out $700,000 to settle two injury lawsuits, one involving a pedestrian in San Ysidro and another involving a motorcycle rider in northern Clairemont. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025 After the staggering initial nine-figure cost estimates for the settlement, Jaworski said the deal could potentially be settled in part by giving Chicago Parking Meters revenue control over more parking spaces. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025 Pfizer, which entered into a $1.95 billion agreement with the federal government to produce 100 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine in July 2020, argued that the suit should be settled in federal court. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2025 For other cities along the East Coast and Great Lakes area, such as New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., the sinking primarily comes as the land slowly settles after the melting of glaciers from the last ice age. Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for settle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settle
Verb
  • Improbably located right across the street from their humble abode is the upscale manse inhabited by the Falconers, a rich couple (Katherine Waterson, Chris Klein) who’ve raised only child Tiffany (Fina Strazza) to be a particularly stinging WASP.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 May 2025
  • The shop, known for its French pastries, will inhabit a 2,800-square-foot space on the ground level of a new luxury apartment complex called The Juniper at 19865 Mainstreet in Parker.
    Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • For now, he’s decided attending university is the best path, but opted to spend his first year of school in Rome to deepen his spirituality.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
  • The Court found that the IRS was correct in its decision to revoke tax-exempt status, but the case was not decided until 1983.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Fearing that terrorists or criminals might use such technology to plan attacks, arrange financing or recruit members, the Clinton administration advocated a system called the Clipper Chip, based on a concept of key escrow.
    Richard Forno, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
  • The pair pitched that Death would arrange for the killing of the survivors using familiar objects and scenarios in complex or unexpected ways.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The origin of the tradition was in 1936, when Louis Meyer, after having won his third Indy 500, sat perched on his car and had a bottle of buttermilk in his left hand.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
  • The cat, perched beside Riley, was recorded gently licking the side of his canine sibling's face.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • He’s also had 16 immigration detainers lodged against him in the last three years.
    Brie Stimson , Griff Jenkins, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2025
  • He then was shot on the right side of his chest, the bullet missing his heart but lodging into his left armpit.
    Ryanne Mena, Oc Register, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Photo : Chopard Choker composed of tanzanite beads (599.50 cts) featuring a floral motif in ethical 18-carat white gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds (20.79 cts).
    Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 20 May 2025
  • Russell tried to console Elissa and somehow managed to keep himself composed, holding up both of them through the disappointment.
    Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA Today, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • However, coconut oil is 100% fat, and each gram contains nine calories.
    Health, Health, 14 May 2025
  • Wildfire smoke contains very dangerous, tiny pollutants called PM2.5 that can travel deep into the lungs or enter the bloodstream when inhaled.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • That hasn’t stopped companies from throwing millions of dollars in bonuses and pay packages at star researchers, according to seven sources familiar with the matter.
    Anna Tong, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • However, the state auditor claimed that Favre never paid interest and sued him in 2024 for an unpaid $729,000, according to Forbes.
    Caroline Blair, People.com, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settle. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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