settler

noun

set·​tler ˈse-tᵊl-ər How to pronounce settler (audio)
ˈset-lər
Synonyms of settlernext
1
: one that settles something
a settler of disputes
2
: someone who settles in a new region or colony
the first settlers of New England

Synonyms of settler

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Examples of settler in a Sentence

settlers learning to live in peace with the natives in 1889 Jane Addams, in an effort to provide Chicago's latest wave of settlers with much-needed services, founded the city's first settlement house
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Israeli settlers opened fire on olive harvesters in the occupied West Bank. — Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026 Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar blamed the souring relations on Britain’s Labour government, which has condemned Israeli military actions in Gaza, placed sanctions on settlers and recognized a Palestinian state. — Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026 Since then, the Israeli government has built scores of settlements that are home to well over 500,000 Jewish settlers. — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 At least one Palestinian was killed and 14 injured when Jewish settlers attacked olive farmers near the town of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported today. — Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for settler

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of settler was in 1598

Phrases Containing settler

Browse Nearby Words

settle on/upon (something)
settler
settler's-clock
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Cite this Entry

“Settler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/settler. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

settler

noun
set·​tler ˈset-lər How to pronounce settler (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
: a person who settles in a new region : colonist
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