1
as in lays
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 inhabits
to supply with inhabitants
the region was originally settled by farmers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in decides
to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)
settled the lawsuit in favor of the defendant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in arranges
to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of
settled their wedding plans without any major disagreements
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in perches
to come to rest after descending from the air
birds settling on the branches of the maple tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in nestles
to establish or place comfortably or snugly
settled the sleeping baby into her crib
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in calms
to free from distress or disturbance
a hot meal settled the children down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in contains
to gain emotional or mental control of
settled himself only with visible effort after the angry outburst
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in pays
to give what is owed for
settle a debt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in determines
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
this information should settle the question of who is right
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 settles
Boise and Treasure Valley residents have a chance to enjoy a beautiful fall Friday before a cold front bringing rainy weather and gusty winds settles into Southwest Idaho starting Saturday morning.
—
Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2025
But slowly, the truth settles in.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
During high-water months, water spills over and settles across the floodplain, leaving behind up to 12 inches of fresh soil annually.
—Isa Cardona, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Give your outerwear collection some TLC before cold weather settles in for good by shopping for these lightweight hoodies on sale.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Each fall, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado typically fills with visitors eager to see the aspens turn gold, hear elk bugle through the valleys, and catch those last clear days before snow settles on the peaks.
—AFAR Media, 23 Oct. 2025
Now, as Ghost Adventures settles into its 28th season on air, the shocking moment Aaron learned of his wife's ghastly deed — captured while the crew was filming an episode — has been released.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Using a lint roller on upholstered pieces of furniture like couches and occasional chairs is an easy and quick way to combat the dust that settles on the fabric on the back that faces that lines the wall or any other part of the fabric as well.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Bet up to $1,000 on any market and get a large payout or a bonus refund depending on how your bet settles.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2025
But slowly, the truth settles in.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
During high-water months, water spills over and settles across the floodplain, leaving behind up to 12 inches of fresh soil annually.
—Isa Cardona, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Give your outerwear collection some TLC before cold weather settles in for good by shopping for these lightweight hoodies on sale.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Each fall, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado typically fills with visitors eager to see the aspens turn gold, hear elk bugle through the valleys, and catch those last clear days before snow settles on the peaks.
—AFAR Media, 23 Oct. 2025
Now, as Ghost Adventures settles into its 28th season on air, the shocking moment Aaron learned of his wife's ghastly deed — captured while the crew was filming an episode — has been released.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Using a lint roller on upholstered pieces of furniture like couches and occasional chairs is an easy and quick way to combat the dust that settles on the fabric on the back that faces that lines the wall or any other part of the fabric as well.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Bet up to $1,000 on any market and get a large payout or a bonus refund depending on how your bet settles.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settles
Verb
-
Pantry moths are simply the name of a type of moth that lays its eggs on common household food products such as grains, beans, flour, nuts, and even pet food.—
Lauren Wicks,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The film lays bare the tensions and paradoxes of nuclear deterrence, said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, which advocates for nuclear arms control.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The children aren’t sure yet what this will mean to them, and Durst inhabits that uncertainty alongside them.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The new species inhabits an incredibly small range, leaving it at risk of habitat changes despite living inside a nature reserve, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Orpheus, unwilling to have anything to do with women again, chooses to become a swan in his next life, while a swan decides to become a man.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Lawmakers will receive a 48-hour notice if the speaker changes his mind and decides to bring them back to vote.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Financial compatibility is a necessity, but a partner who arranges things and therefore shows effort is vital.—
Essence,
Essence,
8 Oct. 2025
-
An employee arranges a salad dressing display at an Amazon Fresh grocery store on December 12, 2024 in Federal Way, Washington.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Ringed Kingfisher perches up to 30 feet above the surface, watching for medium-size fish and then plunging in headfirst with a mighty splash.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
And frequent appearances by a pigeon that perches on her windowsill like a Greek chorus, mocking her self-abasement and growing detachment from reality, seem a tad heavy-handed.—
Book Marks
August 28,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Next, Kat nestles a plastic headpiece shaped like a bighorn sheep rack onto me.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The way Skye nestles her head into the crook of her brother’s neck or drapes herself across his legs after an unembarrassed display of grief is ineffably moving.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Then, the still sweet voice calms me.—
BEA L. HINES,
Miami Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Centella asiatica calms skin and keeps it comfortable for a balanced, radiance-enhancing treatment.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Project Cloud Nita Platform Sneakers The Nita has a platform that lifts you about two inches and contains a cushiony memory foam insole for your heels to sink into.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Angela has the nation’s largest indigenous seed bank, which contains hundreds, if not over a thousand, different seeds that have been donated by people.—
J.M. Banks,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Settles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settles. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share