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
4
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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6
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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 Chlorine gas can quickly settle into lower elevations such as the inner canyon, posing a health risk, officials added. Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 13 July 2025 Saugatuck was first settled in 1830 by William Butler, although it was not originally called Saugatuck, the Holland Sentinel reported. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 13 July 2025 The company demanded huge amounts to settle — amounts that left small business owners in fear of closing or having to lay off employees. John L. Mica, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2025 They are built off-site in Germany, transported to the site, and settled into place with a small crane crew. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for settle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settle
Verb
  • In other words, the billionaire both designs and inhabits delusions of grandeur.
    Brittany Allen July 10, Literary Hub, 10 July 2025
  • Because what really builds character is the expanded perspective that comes from inhabiting real (or real-enough) experiences that differ greatly from our own.
    Judy Berman, Time, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • After a marathon session, the Senate narrowly passed their version of the legislation with Vice President Vance having to cast the deciding vote.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Last year, for the very first time, Mónica Martínez López decided to run for office.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Horowitz spent decades arranging for Sondheim’s archives to come to the Library of Congress.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025
  • The controversy comes at a time the United States is trying to arrange a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • The property has a private feel, featuring just 28 standalone villas, similar to the over-water Maldives bungalows, but these are perched in the jungle.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 7 July 2025
  • At Somni, amid the parade of courses, there’s beautiful plating and masterful technique: In one dish, a healthy quenelle of caviar is perched upon an impossibly light dashi meringue shaped like a fish.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • According to the Better Business Bureau, 98 complaints have been lodged against Wheel Blockers in the past three years.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2025
  • United has reportedly lodged more than one offer to sign Mbuemo with the latest reporting stating a bid of over $70m was made.
    Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Natural gas is almost entirely composed of methane, a greenhouse gas that's far more potent than carbon dioxide.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 8 July 2025
  • Last December, a task force co-led by Rashid and composed of Pritzker administration officials, educators and other lawmakers compiled a report detailing some of the risks presented by AI.
    Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • When a reporter asked Attorney General Pam Bondi about the Jeffrey Epstein investigation on Tuesday, President Donald Trump could not contain himself a moment longer.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • But complexity theorists suspect that PSPACE is a much larger class, containing many problems that aren’t in P.
    Ben Brubaker, Wired News, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Tax revenues generated by the project are paying for the millions in infrastructure repair.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
  • Every investment in children’s mental health pays extraordinary dividends — in stronger families, more successful schools, and a healthier community.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settle. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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