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

Examples 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 Lawmakers in both parties have urged the Biden administration to provide more information about the provenance of the mysterious drones and settle public concerns about their origins and intentions. —

Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024 After investigating the allegations, the Civil Rights Department gave the companies the chance to settle the violations. —

Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024 The unscripted market might be beginning to settle after a chaotic few years, but the over-reliance on recommissions needs to end, says Sony Pictures Television Nonfiction boss Eli Holzman. —

Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2024 Seizing the opportunity to settle the debate, the twins asked her directly about the birth order. —

Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for settle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for settle

Verb

In director Jamie Lloyd’s electric and minimalist Broadway update of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1990s musical based on a ‘50s movie, the former Pussycat Doll nails the comedy of a camp diva — inhabiting former ingenue Norma’s delusion and ego without ever losing sight of her sincerity.

EW Staff, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024
But while tech giants raced to build the perfect virtual reality platform, millions of users were already inhabiting, creating and trading in Roblox's ever-expanding digital universe.

Catherine D Henry, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024