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REFERENCE

settle

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈsɛtəɫ// UK //sˈɛtəl// set·tle Archaic Dialect General-service Informal

v. to reach a final agreement or decision about something, especially after a disagreement. You also use this when you decide to live in a new place for a long time.

v. to resolve a dispute or reach a formal agreement, often involving a legal or financial compromise. Also describes the act of establishing a permanent residence in a new location.


SIMPLE

They finally managed to settle their argument.

CONTEXTUAL

The two companies decided to settle the lawsuit out of court to avoid a long and expensive trial.

COMPLEX

After years of traveling across the continent, the family decided to settle in a quiet coastal town where they could finally establish roots and join the local community.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Often used with 'for' when accepting less than what was originally wanted, or 'on' when choosing a final option.

Pitfall

They settled to go to ItalyThey settled on going to ItalyWhen choosing between options, the verb requires the preposition 'on' rather than an infinitive.

Idioms9 entries

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