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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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 calm

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

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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

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 Angst over Meta’s public reputation likely played a role in the decision to settle so early, experts said. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 The changes are detailed in a press release from California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who led a coalition of 50 states and territories and the District of Columbia that settled with Meta. — Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026 What initially appeared to be a simple family vacation may ultimately have marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Sussexes, who are said to have chosen to settle in the Cotswolds, in the heart of the English countryside. — Mathilde Engelmann, Vanity Fair, 29 Aug. 2026 The descendants of Vikings who settled Iceland have been living off the sea for centuries. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for settle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for settle

Verb

In addition, Autograph Hotels for the second consecutive year will host the festival’s VIP party at the historic Algonquin Hotel, where the New Yorker’s founders gathered to lay the groundwork for the magazine more than a century ago.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
Early settlers of the Valley constructed the Salt River's first dams and laid the groundwork for the area's future.

— Alex Hager, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of lay

Verb

Still, each guest enjoys their secluded villa, private spa time, and a personal guide to arrange hiking and water excursions like snorkeling and surfing.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Tafoya arranged for five blank checks paid as bribes by a marijuana firm to be cashed with the help of his brother and passed one $10,000 check on to marketer Chavez, according to the plea agreement.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrange

Verb

Video captured by security cameras perched on the mountainside show the horrifying moment when the wall of mud descended on the Gyirong Port facility, swallowing the six-story building whole as dozens of people run for their lives.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 26 Aug. 2026
Start your day with a lakeside walk, then visit Meersburg Castle, the town’s medieval fortress, before heading to the New Castle (Neues Schloss), a Baroque palace perched above the lake, for panoramic views.

— Sofia Markovich, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of perch

Verb

The decision also dismissed all claims against Morris’ wife, Deborah, and all but one claim lodged against Robert Morris personally.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
Does a frontline soldier trapped with poor comms in a dugout have enough time to study the choices and lodge a vote?

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of lodge

Verb

The lightweight formula pairs olive, argan, jojoba, sunflower, and safflower oils with smoothing silicones to calm frizz and boost shine.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
The tech giant's commentary around artificial intelligence demand appeared to calm down some of those fears.

— Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of calm

Verb

The filing says a witness reported seeing a gray GMC Denali towing a box trailer containing people, including children.

— Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Hugging Face’s, meanwhile, is a few pages shorter but contains specific lines of code and evidence from its systems about what happened.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of contain

Browse Nearby Words

setting upon

settle

settled

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Style

“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settle. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of settle

verb

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Synonyms of settle

verb

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Phrases Containing settle

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on settle

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

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Popular in Wordplay

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