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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to inhabit

to supply with inhabitants the region was originally settled by farmers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to lodge

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to compose

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to contain

to gain emotional or mental control of settled himself only with visible effort after the angry outburst

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to pay

to give what is owed for settle a debt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

repudiate

as in to determine

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute this information should settle the question of who is right

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shush

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 of settle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Burton could’ve settled by taking audiences on another roller coaster through the land of the dead. —

Joshua Rivera, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2024 My experience underscores the importance of not settling for a superficial understanding of setting up a business. —

Harsh Patel, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024 The film centers on Eyüp, who works relentlessly under the blazing sun during a tomato harvest in southeastern Turkey, driven by the urgent need to settle an impending debt. —

Leo Barraclough, Variety, 19 Aug. 2024 On Friday, following last-minute complaints from protesters and negotiations with the city that were ultimately settled after Mayor Johnson himself intervened, the city allowed for a stage and a sound system for two rallies in Union Park. —

Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for settle

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'settle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Cite this Entry

Style

“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settle. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 17 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

approbation

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Synonyms of settle

verb

Synonym Chooser

Examples of settle in a Sentence

Thesaurus Entries Near settle

Cite this Entry