SETTLE Synonyms: 264 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

settle

verb

ˈse-tᵊl

Definition of settle next

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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as in to inhabit

to supply with inhabitants the region was originally settled by farmers

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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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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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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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as in to lodge

to establish or place comfortably or snugly settled the sleeping baby into her crib

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as in to compose

to free from distress or disturbance a hot meal settled the children down

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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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as in to pay

to give what is owed for settle a debt

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repudiate

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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as in to shush

to stop the noise or speech of settled the class with a firm "quiet!"

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stir
agitate

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 Many economies seem to be settling into a lower-rate environment as policymakers look to boost economic growth. —

Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025 During the six months ended November 30, 2024, Wolverine Resources issued shares to settle debts and finance operations. —

Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 7 Feb. 2025 The lawsuit settled last week contends Rhines will forever require home assistance, medical care and supervision. —

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025 The suit was eventually settled out of court, and the group signed a new recording contract yielding one of the biggest albums of the decade, 2000’s No Strings Attached, which sold 2.4 million copies in its first week. —

Shirley Halperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for settle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for settle

Verb

While humpback whales are known to inhabit these waters, incidents involving close encounters with humans are exceedingly rare.

— Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Things take a turn for the horrifying and comedic when the new lodgers find it is already inhabited by a 400-year-old evil entity.

— Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 12 Feb. 2025