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
The best way to tackle this show is to watch Season 1, then look up the big spoiler for Season 2, and then skip Season 2 and watch Season 3, where the program ultimately settles into its melodramatic, soapy groove.
—
Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 3 Jan. 2025
As Seattle settles into the rainy season, don't expect a sea of umbrellas on the sidewalks.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 2 Jan. 2025
And on January 11, the North Node also settles into the deep waters of this part of the sky, initiating a new year and a half long journey of homecoming and identifying more closely with your roots.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Dec. 2024
The union, which represents about 15,000 workers in the region, announced that the deal settles the last of the city's 2024 hotel strikes, covering approximately 900 Hilton workers.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
As Charlotte settles into his harness and works his back flippers, the team will gradually add more weights to counteract his bubble butt syndrome.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
My Everything settles in similar positions on two other tallies across the pond.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
As the chancellor settles into her leadership role and with a looming UFT election, decisions made now will determine whether New York City’s education system improves or falls back into the cycle of abandoning progress too soon.
—Arlen Benjamin-Gomez, New York Daily News, 16 Dec. 2024
The secret of the chocolate crinkle cookie is a dough that rises and expands, then settles again to crack and crinkle just so.
—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2024
Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 3 Jan. 2025
As Seattle settles into the rainy season, don't expect a sea of umbrellas on the sidewalks.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 2 Jan. 2025
And on January 11, the North Node also settles into the deep waters of this part of the sky, initiating a new year and a half long journey of homecoming and identifying more closely with your roots.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Dec. 2024
The union, which represents about 15,000 workers in the region, announced that the deal settles the last of the city's 2024 hotel strikes, covering approximately 900 Hilton workers.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
As Charlotte settles into his harness and works his back flippers, the team will gradually add more weights to counteract his bubble butt syndrome.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
My Everything settles in similar positions on two other tallies across the pond.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
As the chancellor settles into her leadership role and with a looming UFT election, decisions made now will determine whether New York City’s education system improves or falls back into the cycle of abandoning progress too soon.
—Arlen Benjamin-Gomez, New York Daily News, 16 Dec. 2024
The secret of the chocolate crinkle cookie is a dough that rises and expands, then settles again to crack and crinkle just so.
—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settles
Verb
-
Her brand, founded in 2020, inhabits a unique space in womenswear—between intergenerational handcraft and textile innovation.—
Gemma A. Williams,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Shear inhabits Sam with enough neuroses to make Alvy Singer look like George Clooney.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Out of the box, the firewall analyzes new programs and decides whether to allow network access.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Pilate caves and decides to crucify Jesus, whom Christians believe rose from the dead three days later.—
Nathanael Andrade,
The Conversation,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Foreign leaders are invited to visit the King on the advice and at the request of the British government through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which also arranges overseas travel.—
Rachel Burchfield,
People.com,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Pulling away from inside the prison's walls, the camera arranges the harsh structure against the lush rolling hills and glimmering water of the Hudson River Valley.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The situation calms down and Hill is released.—
Charles Rabin and,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
-
This two-step beauty treat calms irritated skin with tea tree extract and chamomile while the ampoule boosts hydration.—
Maria Correa,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But the problem, experts say, is that sewage today contains a host of chemicals, including PFAS, generated by businesses, factories and homes.—
Hiroko Tabuchi,
New York Times,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Products, like Latisse—which contains an ingredient called Prostaglandin—were specially formulated to help lashes grow long.—
Lorena Meouchi,
Vogue,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The first comes in the form of a bet $5, get $150 bonus, while the other pays back up to $1,000 in bonus bets on losing first wagers.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Children 6 and under skate for $8 and everyone else pays $15 for regular admission.—
Brianna Taylor,
Sacramento Bee,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Some towns have seen large drops in their grand lists caused in part by changes made in recent years to the state law that determines how local officials figure the value of cars for property tax purposes.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Temperature Settings Prompting The temperature setting for generative AI determines how varied the responses by generative AI will be.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
López’s next turn in the rotation lands Sunday against Detroit.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Benson will show up in Episode 2 of the new season when, if the photos below and the teaser preview above is any indication, Stabler lands himself in the hospital.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Settles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settles. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share