settle
1 of 2verb/ˈsɛ.təl/
Forms:settles,settling,settled,settled
1
to bring a dispute or disagreement to an end
transitive- Mediation is a helpful process to settle conflicts between disputing parties.
- Legal professionals work to settle court cases through negotiation and compromise.
- Business partners aim to settle financial disputes through fair and transparent negotiations.
- After hours of negotiation, the parties settled their differences and reached a compromise.
- Neighbors may have a community meeting to settle issues and maintain a harmonious environment.
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2
to come to rest or take a comfortable position, often by sitting
- He settled on the couch after a long day at work.
- He will settle in his favorite chair once he finishes dinner.
- The children settled quietly on the carpet to listen to the story.
- After unpacking, they settled by the fire to enjoy the evening.
- If you were tired, you would settle on the couch for a nap.
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3
to resolve a legal dispute decisively or definitively, often in order to bring an end to it
transitive- They settled the lawsuit out of court to avoid a lengthy trial.
- After months of negotiations, they finally settled the legal matter amicably.
- The parties decided to settle the case, reaching a fair agreement without further legal action.
- After several meetings, they settled the terms of the divorce through mutual consent.
- They decided to settle the case before it escalated into a more serious legal battle.
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4
to go and reside in a place as a permanent home
- After years of traveling, they decided to settle in a quiet village in the countryside.
- The family chose to settle in the coastal town to enjoy a slower pace of life.
- They were excited to settle into their new home after months of searching for the perfect place.
- She wanted to settle in the city where she had found a great job and made many friends.
- The couple finally decided to settle in the small, historic neighborhood they had always admired.
5
(of a ship) to start sinking, typically gradually or slowly
- The ship began to settle into the water after the hull was damaged by the storm.
- As the water flooded in, the boat started to settle slowly, tilting to one side.
- They watched in horror as the ship began to settle, sinking lower into the sea.
- The crew could feel the ship settle, indicating it was taking on water.
- The vessel began to settle after it hit an iceberg, listing dangerously to one side.
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6
to follow a more secure and stable lifestyle with a permanent job and home
- After completing their education, they settled into jobs in the city.
- He found a good job in the area and decided it was time to settle and put down roots.
- It took her some time, but she eventually decided to settle in one place and build a future.
- He was ready to settle, finding a secure job and a house to call his own.
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7
to establish a home or community in a new location
- The group of pioneers settled in the valley, where they built their homes.
- The refugees were eager to settle in a safe country after fleeing the war.
- The early colonists settled along the riverbanks, where the soil was fertile.
- The explorers were the first to settle in the remote region, making it their home.
- The colonists managed to settle in the territory, establishing a thriving community.
8
to become calmer or quieter
- The storm finally settled, and the sky became clear.
- After the argument, they gave each other space to let the tension settle.
- The atmosphere in the room settled as everyone took a deep breath.
- The waters gradually settled, and the boat was no longer rocking.
- The noise from the crowd started to settle after the announcement.
9
to resolve a legal dispute by reaching an agreement or settlement between the parties involved
- The two companies decided to settle out of court to avoid a lengthy trial.
- Instead of continuing with the case, they chose to settle and move on.
- The parties involved in the contract dispute settled through mediation.
- Rather than fighting the case in court, they decided it was best to settle.
10
to accept or agree to something that is not ideal or is considered less than what one hoped for
- He wasn’t thrilled with the offer but decided to settle for the terms presented.
- After weeks of negotiation, she reluctantly settled for a lower salary than expected.
- Instead of continuing the argument, he chose to settle for a compromise.
- After a long wait, he finally settled for a less favorable deal to get the job done.
- They had to settle for second place, even though they aimed for first.
11
to place or arrange something in a desired or proper position
transitive- After unpacking, he settled the furniture in the living room just as he liked it.
- The decorator settled the artwork on the wall to create a balanced display.
- He settled the chairs around the table, preparing for dinner.
- He carefully settled the documents into the folder, keeping them organized.
- The workers settled the equipment in the designated area for the event.
12
to provide a place with inhabitants by establishing a new population or colonizing it
transitive- The settlers worked to settle the land, building homes and establishing farms.
- They were determined to settle the area, bringing in new families and creating a community.
- The government encouraged people to settle the newly discovered territories.
- After years of exploration, the colonists finally began to settle the remote island.
- The region was settled by immigrants seeking a better life and opportunities.
13
to make or arrange for the final resolution, completion, or conclusion of something
transitive- After weeks of planning, they finally settled all the details for the wedding.
- He worked hard to settle the accounts before the end of the fiscal year.
- She made sure to settle all the paperwork before leaving the office.
- The lawyer helped them settle the estate after the will was read.
- The company plans to settle the matter by paying the outstanding fines.
14
(of birds or insects) to land on something from above, usually to rest or perch
- The birds settled on the power lines, chirping as they rested.
- A butterfly gently settled on the flower, sipping nectar.
- As the sun set, the sparrows settled on the branches of the tree.
- A few moths settled on the porch light, drawn to the glow.
- The hawk circled overhead before finally settling on the high branch.
15
to move or adjust something in a way that ensures it rests in a secure, stable position
transitive- After the long journey, they settled their bags in the corner of the room.
- Once the table was set, she settled the glasses in their places.
- He carefully settled the vase on the shelf, making sure it wouldn’t tip over.
- They carefully settled the tent poles into the ground to ensure it stayed upright.
- He settled the cushion into place on the couch for added comfort.
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16
to clarify a liquid by allowing dregs or impurities to sink to the bottom
transitive- The chemist settled the mixture, letting the impurities sink to the bottom.
- After boiling the broth, she settled it to remove the floating particles.
- The process settled the liquid, leaving behind a clean, clear solution.
- He settled the muddy water, allowing the dirt to fall to the bottom.
- The wine was settled to remove any residual yeast, leaving a smooth liquid.
17
(of suspended particles in a liquid) to gradually sink to the bottom, forming sediment
- Over time, the fine particles settled at the bottom of the glass of water.
- The dirt slowly settled in the jar, leaving the liquid clear on top.
- After stirring the liquid, you could see the particles settle gradually.
- The muddy water began to settle, revealing the clearer liquid above.
- He waited for the particles to settle before pouring off the clear liquid.
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18
(of a liquid) to become clear or still as the suspended particles slowly sink to the bottom
- After a few hours, the muddy water began to settle, becoming clear at the top.
- The liquid settled, and the particles gradually sank to the bottom of the jar.
- If you let the mixture settle, the sediment will fall, leaving the liquid clear.
- He waited for the solution to settle before using the clear liquid on top.
- The storm passed, and the water in the river settled, becoming calm and clear again.
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19
to pay off or clear a debt or financial obligation
transitive- He finally settled his outstanding bills after receiving his paycheck.
- The company resolved to settle the debt before the end of the month.
- She was able to settle the account in full with a single payment.
- After much negotiation, they agreed to settle the debt for a reduced amount.
- She managed to settle her credit card debt through monthly payments.
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