Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
😌 To become calm 🤝 To resolve 👌 To accept less 🏡 To make a home 💵 To pay ⬇️ To sink down 😠 To take revenge 🧹 To arrange 🪑 A wooden bench
to settle

to settle

515 3.3
To end an argument by agreement or decision
  • verb
  • /ˈsɛtəl/
: resolver
  • I think they just settled the civil lawsuit.
  • settle disputes
  • settle conflicts
  • settle the issue

No, no more disputes should be settled by giving people time to think.

Autoplay Next

Examples

Synonyms

to resolve
vsto settle
532 3.3

To find an answer to a problem and end a disagreement

focuses on ending disputes specifically via decision or agreement
to determine
vsto settle
  • Formal
393 3.2

To officially decide a dispute or question

can also end disputes but stresses agreement as well as decision
to decide
vsto settle
284 1.0

To end a disagreement by choosing a final outcome

ends disputes through agreement or decision rather than only choice
to compromise
vsto settle
159 3.7

To settle a disagreement by each side giving up something

allows other resolution types beyond mutual concessions
to cut a deal
vsto settle
  • Informal
83 3.5

Make an agreement after talking, often in business or politics

is the general act of ending disagreements by decision or deal
to make up
vsto settle
81 2.7

Become friends again after a fight

focuses on ending disputes through decision or agreement, not only friendship repair
to reconcile
vsto settle
49 5.1

To become friendly again after a disagreement

is about ending disputes by decision or negotiated agreement broadly
to reach an agreement
vsto settle
42 3.0

Decide together after talking about the terms

is broader, applying to any dispute resolution by decision
to patch up
vsto settle
36 3.5

Make a relationship better after an argument or disagreement

is aimed at ending disputes by decision or formal agreement rather than just fixing relations
to settle with
vsto settle
35 4.1

To reach an agreement with someone to end a dispute

is broader, applying to resolving disputes by decision or agreement
to clinch
vsto settle
34 5.1

To finally get something after a long effort

is about ending disputes by decision or mutual agreement
to mediate
vsto settle
28 5.1

To help people who disagree reach an agreement

may also end disputes but includes direct decision and agreement methods
to iron out
vsto settle
27 3.8

Settle problems or disagreements by talking and finding a solution

is the wider act of ending disputes by decision or agreement
to strike a deal
vsto settle
25 3.4

To agree with someone after talking about the details

covers ending disputes by decision or agreement in many ways
to put to bed
vsto settle
21 4.7

Finish something completely so no more work is needed

is specifically about resolving disputes or arguments by agreement
to adjudicate
vsto settle
  • Formal
18 7.8

To make an official decision about a disagreement, often in court or a contest

is broader, covering resolutions by agreement as well as formal judgments
to conclude
vsto settle
  • Formal
12 3.9

To make a formal agreement with others

covers ending disputes more generally, not only formal agreements
to arbitrate
vsto settle
5 6.9

To act as a fair person who decides how to end an argument between others

covers ending disputes more generally, not only via a third party
to square up
vsto settle
  • Informal
5 4.7

Pay someone what you owe or agree to end a disagreement

focuses on resolving disputes generally, not only debts
to conciliate
vsto settle
1 7.9

To stop people being angry and make them friendly again

focuses on ending disputes by decision or formal agreement rather than feelings
to settle a disagreement
vsto settle
1 3.1

Make people or groups agree after an argument

ends disputes by making a decision or agreement
to squash the beef
vsto settle
  • Slang
1 9.4

To end an argument and become friendly again

is the general process of resolving disputes by agreement or decision
to arbit
vsto settle
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To settle a disagreement by acting as a fair judge

is broader and includes non third party agreements or decisions

Antonyms

to escalate
220 5.5

To become larger, more serious, or more intense

to prolong
76 3.9

To make something last longer

Idioms

to settle a score
  • Offensive
4 6.2

To get revenge for something someone did to you

to settle someone's hash
  • Slang
1 9.3

To punish or defeat someone to stop their harmful actions

stay hungry and never settle
8.8

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

Phrasal Verbs

to settle for
193 3.6

Accept less than you wanted or hoped for

to settle down
166 2.5

To become quiet and calm after being excited

to settle in
165 3.3

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

to settle down
147 3.0

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

to settle on
74 3.1

To fix your eyes or attention on one thing

to settle into
63 3.3

Become comfortable in a new place, job, or routine

to settle with
35 4.1

To reach an agreement with someone to end a dispute

to settle for less
19 4.5

To accept something worse than what you want or deserve

to settle down
  • Specialized
5 3.1

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

to settle upon
1 3.9

To pick one thing after thinking about the choices

to settle a disagreement
1 3.1

Make people or groups agree after an argument

to grow up and settle down
1 3.4

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

How Resolved

to agree
∞ 1.0
to settle
515 3.3
to negotiate
  • Formal
802 3.7
to discuss
∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

settle infinitive
settled past
settled past participle
settling present participle
settles third person singular

Etymology

The verb settle meaning to resolve a dispute comes from the same root set meaning 'to put in place' or 'make fixed', so to settle a problem is to put it in its final place by agreement. That's why to settle a disagreement means to finish and decide it.