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

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

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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 The move also settled a multi-year legal battle over air quality and health concerns following the attacks. — Nicole Alarcon, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 And perhaps Blaine and Kurt have settled in a nearby Midwest town and are micro-influencers for their growing antique collection. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026 And in places like their cottage, the camera naturally settled in with its surroundings. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 Von Engelbrechten said the videos were parody, and eventually both sides settled out of court. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for settle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for settle

Verb

The body was laid bare, via dramatic cutouts, lingerie, transparent and transluscent garments, to accentuate the form.

— Rachael Akhidenor, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
John Benjamin Hickey’s play-it-as-it-lays revival more frequently chooses to pretend that the obstacle isn’t there.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of lay

Verb

The land the tribe inhabited before being evicted is now divided among ranchers, government agencies and a conservation nonprofit.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
The footprints suggest humans may have inhabited North America earlier than the timeline supported by currently available genetic evidence.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of inhabit

Verb

Trials in four other cases in which Sorrells’ predecessor, Sharen Wilson, decided to seek the death penalty, have occurred during Sorrells term.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
The next auto race will be decided by which country can excel at both.

— Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of decide

Verb

The hotel can also arrange more typical Lanai tourist activities—scuba diving, sailing, horseback riding, or a day at the beach at the sister Four Seasons resort.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Lawyers in Russia eventually located him and arranged for legal visits, money for food and basic necessities, and the brief phone call with his son.

— Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrange

Verb

Teddy bears and trains, baseballs and dolls dance through the air into Santa's enormous sack, which sits at Santa's feet, or rather Harry's, who is perched high on the throne at the back of the float, magnificent in white whiskers and red velvet.

— Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Every transformer on the grid—from the cylinders perched on utility lines to the big spiky devices at substations—trades voltage for current at a fixed ratio.

— Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of perch

Verb

The protests being lodged against that decision provide some comfort, and Louise would have been grateful for them.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Caraballo had been arrested in December 2024 and released before Immigration and Customs Enforcement could lodge a detainer request.

— Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of lodge

Verb

Shauf quit drinking in 2020, and while The Party contains its fair share of drunken regret, alcohol is a more central subject on the afterparty’s other two outtakes.

— Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
The medical response has focused largely on treating and containing the disease, with little to no attention to the mental health of those affected.

— Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of contain

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setting upon

settle

settled

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Style

“Settle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settle. Accessed 27 Oct. 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

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