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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Relevance
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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
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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6
7
as in to calm
to free from distress or disturbance
a hot meal settled the children down
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8
9
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of settle
Some settled in Colombian towns which were later captured by armed groups and had to flee a second (and often third) time.
—
Ciaran Donnelly, Time, 11 Jan. 2026
But consider it from the perspective of the begrudging founder of a progressive rock institution who would settle for nothing less than total reinvention with each record.
—Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 11 Jan. 2026
After his death, Pine settles into a requisite life in London as Alex Goodwin, a member of an unexciting intelligence unit called the Night Owls.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Even then, defendants are often able to get their case removed to federal court to settle the question of immunity.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for settle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settle
Verb
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That research laid the foundation for studying blood-loss control.—
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The half-zip can be worn unzipped with the collar laid flat, or zipped up and worn as a funnel neck collar.—
Verb
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Today biologists believe that more than 5,000 coyotes inhabit greater Los Angeles.—
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The casting of Hahn will be a bit of a magical treat to fans, who for months had fan-cast her as the bad guy in this project, even when actress Scarlett Johansson was temporarily inhabiting it.—
Verb
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This past Christmas, as a meaningful and nostalgic compromise, the McAlarneys and a group of other parents from their daughter Maddie's second-grade class all decided to get their children Tin Can landline phones for Christmas.—
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Shanahan and Fangio are considered some of the best offensive and defensive play callers in the sport, and the matchup could decide who moves on to the divisional round.—
Verb
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Despite his level-headedness, Mike is mightily discontent with the low-wattage gigs that are arranged for him by, of all people, his dentist (Fisher Stevens), who soon replaces that absent tooth.—
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As a newcomer to composing and arranging for strings, Simon benefitted greatly by working with a group readily available for consultation and collaboration.—
Verb
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This price for the complex of 149 apartments is perched on the high side of per-unit values of South Bay residential hubs that have landed new owners lately.—
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The shelving unit that contains some of his collection of roughly 20,000 books stretches to the ceiling of the two-story living room; McDaniel would later perch on its narrow catwalk to deliver his lecture.—
Verb
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Though town officials tried to push other activities, such as snowmobiling, ice skating and snowshoeing, lodging bookings plummeted in the wake of the resort’s closure.—
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The bullet had been lodged in Kavita's leg for 20 years.—
Verb
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Pair it with a calming playlist and deep breaths, and even a red-eye can feel restorative.—
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It's designed to offer a satisfying and calming shuffling motion, guided by a strong magnet and a seamless sliding track on the inside.—
Verb
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Dominique could hardly contain himself in his seat.—
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Some fruit pits and seeds, like those in apples and pears, contain traces of cyanide, which is harmful to birds.—
Cite this Entry
“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settle. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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