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View synonyms for settle

settle

1

[ set-l ]

verb (used with object)

, set·tled, set·tling.
  1. to appoint, fix, or resolve definitely and conclusively; agree upon (as time, price, or conditions).

    Synonyms: determine, decide, set

  2. to place in a desired state or in order:

    to settle one's affairs.

  3. to pay, as a bill.
  4. to close (an account) by payment.

    Synonyms: liquidate

  5. to migrate to and organize (an area, territory, etc.); colonize:

    The pilgrims settled Plymouth.

  6. to cause to take up residence:

    They settled immigrants in urban areas.

    Synonyms: relocate

  7. to furnish (a place) with inhabitants or settlers:

    The French settled this colony with army veterans.

    Synonyms: colonize, people

  8. to quiet, calm, or bring to rest (the nerves, stomach, etc.).
  9. to stop from annoying or opposing:

    A sharp word will settle that youngster.

    Synonyms: pacify, still, compose, tranquilize

  10. to conclude or resolve:

    to settle a dispute.

  11. to make (someone) comfortable or snug.
  12. to make stable; place in a permanent position or on a permanent basis.

    Synonyms: establish, stabilize

  13. to cause (a liquid) to become clear by depositing dregs.
  14. to cause (dregs, sediment, etc.) to sink or be deposited.
  15. to cause to sink down gradually; make firm or compact.
  16. to dispose of finally; close up:

    to settle an estate.

  17. Law.
    1. to secure (property, title, etc.) on or to a person by formal or legal process.
    2. to terminate (legal proceedings) by mutual consent of the parties.


verb (used without object)

, set·tled, set·tling.
  1. to decide, arrange, or agree (often followed by on or upon ):

    to settle on a plan of action.

  2. to arrange matters in dispute; come to an agreement:

    to settle with a person.

  3. to pay a bill; make a financial arrangement (often followed by up ).
  4. to take up residence in a new country or place:

    Many Frenchmen settled along the Mississippi River following La Salle's explorations.

    Synonyms: locate, relocate

  5. to come to rest, as from flight:

    A bird settled on a bough.

  6. to gather, collect, or become fixed in a particular place, direction, etc.:

    A cold settled in my head.

  7. to become calm or composed (often followed by down ):

    I'll wait until the class settles before starting the lesson.

  8. to come to rest (often followed by down ):

    We settled down for the night at an old country inn.

  9. to sink down gradually; subside.

    Synonyms: abate, fall, decline

  10. to become clear by the sinking of suspended particles, as a liquid.
  11. to sink to the bottom, as sediment.
  12. to become firm or compact, as the ground.
  13. (of a female animal) to become pregnant; conceive.

verb phrase

  1. to become established in:

    to settle into a new routine.

  2. to be satisfied with:

    to settle for less.

    1. to become established in some routine, especially upon marrying, after a period of independence or indecision.
    2. to become calm or quiet.
    3. to apply oneself to serious work:

      There were so many distractions that we weren't able to settle down to studying.

settle

2

[ set-l ]

noun

  1. a long seat or bench, usually wooden, with arms and a high back.

settle

1

/ ˈsɛtəl /

verb

  1. tr to put in order; arrange in a desired state or condition

    he settled his affairs before he died

  2. to arrange or be arranged in a fixed or comfortable position

    he settled himself by the fire

  3. intr to come to rest or a halt

    a bird settled on the hedge

  4. to take up or cause to take up residence

    the family settled in the country

  5. to establish or become established in a way of life, job, residence, etc
  6. tr to migrate to and form a community; colonize
  7. to make or become quiet, calm, or stable
  8. intr to be cast or spread; come down

    fog settled over a wide area

  9. to make (a liquid) clear or (of a liquid) to become clear; clarify
  10. to cause (sediment) to sink to the bottom, as in a liquid, or (of sediment) to sink thus
  11. to subside or cause to subside and become firm or compact

    the dust settled

  12. sometimes foll by up to pay off or account for (a bill, debt, etc)
  13. tr to decide, conclude, or dispose of

    to settle an argument

  14. intr; often foll by on or upon to agree or fix

    to settle upon a plan

  15. tr; usually foll by on or upon to secure (title, property, etc) to a person, as by making a deed of settlement, will, etc

    he settled his property on his wife

  16. to determine (a legal dispute, etc) by agreement of the parties without resort to court action (esp in the phrase settle out of court )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


settle

2

/ ˈsɛtəl /

noun

  1. a seat, for two or more people, usually made of wood with a high back and arms, and sometimes having a storage space in the boxlike seat
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈsettleable, adjective
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Other Words From

  • settle·a·ble adjective
  • settle·a·bili·ty noun
  • settled·ness noun
  • quasi-settled adjective
  • un·settle·a·ble adjective
  • well-settled adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of settle1

First recorded before 1000; Middle English setlen, setel(le) “to seat, place in a seat, be seated; sink down; descend,” Old English setlan (attested once) “to settle, seat, take a position of rest,” derivative of setl settle 2; compare Dutch zetelen

Origin of settle2

First recorded before 900; Middle English setle, setel(e), settel “seat, chair, bench, place for sitting,” Old English setl, sedl, sethl; cognate with German Sessel “armchair,” Gothic sitls “seat,” Latin sella (from unrecorded sedla “saddle”; akin to sit 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of settle1

Old English setlan; related to Dutch zetelen; see settle ²

Origin of settle2

Old English setl; related to Old Saxon, Old High German sezzal
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Example Sentences

Perhaps Gaetz, now out of a job, will have to settle for a position that doesn’t require Senate confirmation — or a gig on Newsmax.

From Salon

Measure A also funds eviction defense, which can help more people win or settle cases and stay housed.

The city agreed in June to settle the lawsuit and pay $300,000 in legal fees, but litigation by the affected officers is ongoing.

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was freed in 2022 after ministers agreed to settle a £400m debt dating back to the 1970s.

From BBC

When dry weather does settle in, fires are more likely to ignite.

From Slate

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