Synonyms of settle

settle 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈse-tᵊl 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lay
• filter
• clear
• sediment
• clarify
• sift
• screen
• strain
• resettle
• sieve

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• raise
• stir
• mix
• disturb
• agitate

2

as in to inhabit

to supply with inhabitants

the region was originally settled by farmers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inhabit
• populate
• people
• colonize
• move (to)
• relocate (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• depopulate
• unpeople

3

as in to decide

to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)

settled the lawsuit in favor of the defendant

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decide
• arbitrate
• adjudicate
• determine
• adjudge
• resolve
• judge
• prosecute
• rule (on)
• hear
• weigh
• consider
• referee
• deem
• mediate
• ponder
• try
• umpire
• conclude
• deliberate
• negotiate
• moderate
• find (for or against)
• size up
• redetermine
• rejudge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hedge
• equivocate
• skirt
• pussyfoot

4

as in to arrange

to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of

settled their wedding plans without any major disagreements

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decide
• arrange
• choose
• resolve
• set
• agree (on)
• complete
• fix
• plan
• figure
• dispose of
• finalize
• finish
• determine
• design
• conclude
• promise
• approve
• negotiate
• calculate
• confirm
• scheme
• opt
• shape
• chart
• pledge
• contract
• deal
• okay
• maneuver
• draft
• authorize
• close
• work out
• lay out
• affirm
• concert
• blueprint
• program
• sanction
• hammer out
• frame
• OK
• warrant
• schematize
• end
• wind up
• bargain
• map (out)
• square away
• intrigue
• programme
• wrap up
• haggle
• round (off or out)
• horse-trade
• dicker
• clear
• chaffer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• call
• recall
• drop
• revoke
• rescind
• repeal
• differ (over)
• disagree (with)
• resist
• oppose
• abort
• call off
• counter
• object
• protest
• debate
• dispute
• contest

5

as in to perch

to come to rest after descending from the air

birds settling on the branches of the maple tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

• perch
• land
• alight
• touch down
• light
• roost
• crash-land
• belly-land

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• arise
• take off
• climb
• ascend
• plane
• fly
• float
• blast off
• wing
• hang
• soar
• glide
• hover

6

as in to lodge

to establish or place comfortably or snugly

settled the sleeping baby into her crib

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lodge
• nestle
• perch
• position
• park
• install
• locate
• roost
• plant
• situate
• ensconce
• deploy
• station
• house
• camp
• set
• anchor
• fix
• camp (out)
• curl up
• burrow
• emplace
• dig in
• harbor
• bivouac

7

as in to compose

to free from distress or disturbance

a hot meal settled the children down

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compose
• calm
• lull
• soothe
• appease
• relax
• quiet
• still
• quieten
• salve
• tranquillize
• tranquilize
• relieve
• placate
• quell
• pacify
• conciliate
• hush
• alleviate
• mitigate
• mollify
• becalm
• allay
• lullaby
• ease
• lay
• assuage
• sedate
• solace
• narcotize
• stupefy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disturb
• upset
• agitate
• perturb
• intensify
• vex
• aggravate
• heighten
• arouse
• stir (up)
• discompose
• rouse
• key (up)
• incite
• disquiet
• excite
• foment
• work up

8

as in to contain

to gain emotional or mental control of

settled himself only with visible effort after the angry outburst

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compose
• contain
• calm
• restrain
• collect
• control
• re-collect
• recover
• hold back
• lull
• soothe
• rally
• still
• tranquillize
• quiet
• tranquilize

9

as in to pay

to give what is owed for

settle a debt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pay
• meet
• stand
• balance
• liquidate
• pay off
• pay up
• foot
• discharge
• quit
• clear
• spring (for)
• ante (up)
• pony up
• recompense

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repudiate

10

as in to determine

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute

this information should settle the question of who is right

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decide
• determine
• clinch
• clarify
• prove
• establish
• define
• ensure
• insure
• assure
• secure
• nail
• affirm
• specify
• show
• nail (down)
• demonstrate
• state
• stipulate
• finish
• illuminate
• end
• conclude
• clear (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuse
• muddy
• unsettle
• muddle

11

as in to shush

to stop the noise or speech of

settled the class with a firm "quiet!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shush
• silence
• dumb
• quiet
• mute
• hush
• quell
• still
• shut up
• extinguish
• quieten
• squelch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stir
• agitate

settle (down)

2 of 3

verb (2)

as in to cool

to become still and orderly

settle down and get to work, please

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cool
• calm (down)
• hush
• cool it
• chill out
• dry up
• relax
• quiet
• pipe down
• unwind
• zone out
• tranquillize
• tranquilize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• carry on
• cut up
• act up
• show off
• horse around
• fool around
• clown (around)
• monkey (around)
• skylark

settle (on or upon)

3 of 3

verb (3)

as in to choose

to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration

the car buyer settled on that brand only after a lot of research

Synonyms & Similar Words

• choose
• figure
• decide
• opt
• resolve
• find
• determine
• conclude
• rule (on)
• name
• single (out)
• select
• elect
• rule
• pick
• decree
• prefer
• think (about or over)
• adjudicate
• chew over
• arbitrate
• adjudge
• mull (over)
• cull
• judge
• study
• weigh
• debate
• ponder
• deliberate
• entertain
• meditate
• contemplate
• consider
• handpick
• referee
• umpire
• question
• ruminate
• cogitate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• turn down
• refuse
• reject
• abstain
• decline
• delay
• hesitate
• halt
• stall
• temporize
• vacillate
• waver
• waffle
• shilly-shally

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of settle

Verb

The team settled on a patient with SD Autism Spectrum disorder who had an ankle sprain but frustrated Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball) with his endless questions. —Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025

The lawsuit was settled in 2024 for $1.85 million, according to NBC News, but the emotional damage remains. —Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 9 Apr. 2025

The lawsuit was settled out of court in 2024, with the 11 teens receiving $1.85 million. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 9 Apr. 2025

They are now settled in the Jackson, Wyo., community run by Joel's sister-in-law, Maria (Rutina Wesley), but the pair's relationship is strained. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing settle

• settle (down)
• settle (on or upon)