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
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3
as in decides
to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)
settled the lawsuit in favor of the defendant
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in nestles
to establish or place comfortably or snugly
settled the sleeping baby into her crib
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7
as in calms
to free from distress or disturbance
a hot meal settled the children down
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in contains
to gain emotional or mental control of
settled himself only with visible effort after the angry outburst
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9
as in pays
to give what is owed for
settle a debt
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10
as in determines
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
this information should settle the question of who is right
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of settles
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
Through meditation, the mind naturally relaxes, settles into the present moment, and grants us access to our consciousness and our own innate intelligence.
—Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Time, 10 Jan. 2026
Next to the hilarity of Liu and the wisdom of Glenn, Levito settles comfortably as their contrast, the youngster in their sisterhood, the calm next to their storm.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Hocking Hills, Ohio The Hocking Hills' rock formations and caves become even more dramatic in winter, when snow settles on the damp rocks and bare trees, and waterfalls freeze into huge icicles.
—Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 7 Jan. 2026
As the ice melts and the ground settles under runways, cracks and craters form – a hazard for airplanes.
—Paul Bierman, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
As for how Donnelly settles her nerves before stepping onto the stage and performing under the big bright lights?
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
Imagine an intimate oasis that arrives at your doorstep—or settles into a forest edge, campground, vineyard, or backyard garden—as a sleek, foldable sanctuary crafted with modern convenience in mind.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 31 Dec. 2025
Users who prefer the safety net offer can bet up to $1,000 on any market and bet a bonus refund if their bet settles as a loss.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settles
Verb
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The other is something more resembling that first one’s exact opposite—a dark and broody sipper, punchy and robust, liquid mollification reflecting that the best of the season is now officially behind us, and all that lays ahead is the long frigid slog toward spring.—
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Cartagena, Colombia, extending into the Caribbean Sea, is a wholly Latin American, wholly Caribbean, and even wholly African destination all at once—and its rich history lays the groundwork for one of the most enchanting cities in the region.—
Verb
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And that seemingly uninterrupted one-take is its own argument for the necessity of the medium to transport and astound us out of a banal world, one as banal as the one the Deliriant inhabits as civilization comes to its last gasp.—
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In the film, the monster inhabits a world where people have discovered that the key to immortality is to cease dreaming, but Deliriants continue to do so, risking death in the process.—
Verb
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And while Elliott would like to see Nielsen as the next CEO, if the board decides on someone else who is equally qualified, Elliott will support that decision.—
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Georgia grows tired of her husband and their nightly trips to the fancy French restaurant and decides to have an affair with another man at another table (Alan Howard).—
Verb
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Organized Tours The most common option is booking an organized tour where the company arranges your transportation.—
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That changes in episode 6, when Nate (Colm Feore) arranges a meeting between Rebecca and M-Tex’s resident geologist.—
Verb
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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.—
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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.—
Verb
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Boasting a playful curved lip that fits neatly in your palm and elegantly nestles one after the other in a stack, these wavy plates are an exceptionally sculptural way to set the table.—
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Many creative platers like to cut a circular hole out of their bread loaf, which the butter candle then nestles inside.—
Verb
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The lotion also has a cooling effect that calms inflammation.—
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Soft, Layered Lighting Soft, layered lighting calms every room instantly, Saab assures.—
Verb
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Use Paint to Refresh Cracked Wood Start by cleaning the wood with hot, soapy water that contains a degreasing agent.—
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DeFi advocates also want to ensure the market structure bill contains language allowing individuals to self-custody their crypto.—
Cite this Entry
“Settles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settles. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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