to settle

Examples

• All

• Will they have to settle for a less expensive house and less fancy cars?

  Academic text (2008)

• You really think that I'm going to settle for happiness one night a week?

  Matthew Hussey

• And if I cannot have your support, I will settle for your protection.

  Cabrini (2024)

• I need to always do my best; I cannot settle for "good enough".

  Academic text (2015)

• But the real question is whether a just society can settle for anything less.

  Academic text (2015)

• I wanted a clear head and would settle for wine with my meal.

  Fiction book (1990)

• I want you to find your worth, embrace it, and not settle for anything less than you deserve.

  Stephan Speaks

• We had to settle for 850 because we lost you.

  Antitrust (2001)

• He will settle for nothing less than a red China.

  Kundun (1997)

• After several negotiations, we had to settle for a lower price than we initially wanted.

Synonyms

A

to accept

vsto settle

∞ 3.5

To tolerate an unpleasant situation without complaining

emphasizes agreeing to less specifically rather than general tolerance

C

to compromise

vsto settle

215 3.7

To settle a disagreement by each side giving up something

usually means accepting less often without mutual concessions

S

to settle for

vsto settle

143 3.6

Accept less than you wanted or hoped for

is the single word or general form for that same acceptance

R

to reach an agreement

vsto settle

35 3.0

Decide together after talking about the terms

focuses more on accepting a lesser offer rather than mutual terms

C

to capitulate

vsto settle

23 8.4

To stop fighting back and accept defeat or demands

is milder, focusing on accepting less rather than total surrender

A

to acquiesce

vsto settle

• Formal

20 8.4

To accept something you do not want without complaining

is broader, focusing on accepting less rather than just reluctance

S

to strike a deal

vsto settle

20 3.4

To agree with someone after talking about the details

often implies accepting less without the focus on negotiation process

C

to concede

vsto settle

13 5.5

To give something to another person or group against your will

is less about surrender and more about agreeing to less by choice

S

to settle for less

vsto settle

9 4.5

To accept something worse than what you want or deserve

expresses the same idea but in a shorter general form

G

to give ground

vsto settle

3 4.9

To accept less than you want in a discussion to reach an agreement

refers more to a final choice to accept less than to gradual yielding

L

to lump it

vsto settle

• UK

3 8.8

Accept something unpleasant without complaining

is the more neutral or general description of accepting less

M

to meet halfway

vsto settle

2 3.5

Each person gives up some of what they want to reach an agreement

can instead mean one party accepts less without shared give

Antonyms

R

to reject

839 1.9

Refuse to accept someone or something

Idioms

S

to settle a score

• Offensive

2 6.2

To get revenge for something someone did to you

S

to settle someone's hash

• Slang

9.3

To punish or defeat someone to stop their harmful actions

S

stay hungry and never settle

8.8

To keep wanting more and trying to improve without accepting being average

Phrasal Verbs

S

to settle down

173 3.0

To start living a quiet, steady life by having a regular job or a family

S

to settle for

143 3.6

Accept less than you wanted or hoped for

S

to settle in

132 3.3

To start to feel comfortable and at home in a new place or job

S

to settle down

56 2.5

To become quiet and calm after being excited

S

to settle on

55 3.1

To fix your eyes or attention on one thing

S

to settle into

41 3.3

Become comfortable in a new place, job, or routine

S

to settle with

22 4.1

To reach an agreement with someone to end a dispute

S

to settle down

• Specialized

22 3.1

To come to rest on a surface, like dust or snow

S

to settle for less

9 4.5

To accept something worse than what you want or deserve

S

to settle a disagreement

1 3.1

Make people or groups agree after an argument

S

to settle upon

1 3.9

To pick one thing after thinking about the choices

G

to grow up and settle down

3.4

Become an adult and start a steady life with a job or family

How Accepting

to accept

793 1.0

to settle

166 3.6

to compromise

215 3.7

to resign

52 5.1

to tolerate

290 3.5

to reject

839 1.9

Surface Forms

Etymology