reserve 1 of 2

noun

Definition of reservenext
1
as in restraint
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others the salesclerk showed great reserve in dealing with the unreasonable demands of the angry customer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in supply
a collection of things kept available for future use or need our fuel reserves are low

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in substitute
a person or thing that takes the place of another when the first brigade fell back in retreat, the commander sent out the reserves to try to hold the line of battle

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in spare
an interchangeable part or piece of equipment that is kept on hand for replacement of an original don't throw that extra bike chain away, as I want to keep it as a reserve in case the current one breaks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reserve

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈzərv How to pronounce reserve (audio)
1
as in to book
to arrange to have something (as a hotel room) held for one's future use we made sure to reserve a kennel for our dog several months before the start of the family vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to retain
to continue to have in one's possession or power I'm reserving the right to work by myself if you don't do your share of the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to dedicate
to keep or intend for a special purpose we must reserve this cup for ceremonial use only

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word reserve distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of reserve are detain, keep, retain, and withhold. While all these words mean "to hold in one's possession or under one's control," reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use.

reserve some of your energy for the last mile

Where would detain be a reasonable alternative to reserve?

While the synonyms detain and reserve are close in meaning, detain suggests a delay in letting go.

detained them for questioning

When could keep be used to replace reserve?

The meanings of keep and reserve largely overlap; however, keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control.

keep this while I'm gone

When might retain be a better fit than reserve?

In some situations, the words retain and reserve are roughly equivalent. However, retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss.

managed to retain their dignity even in poverty

When can withhold be used instead of reserve?

The words withhold and reserve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go.

withheld information from the authorities

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of reserve
Noun
The Florida Legislature approved a plan that would ease financial strains on condo unit owners by extending the deadline for inspections and gives associations alternatives to relying on reserves. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025 The state comptroller would have control of the reserve and any potential buying and selling of the digital assets. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Verb
Pour in half of the marinade, reserving the rest for later. Let everything marinate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge. —Ashia Aubourg, Outside Online, 24 May 2025 Wi-Fi 7 is also expected to offer a Restricted Target Wake Time feature that allows the router to reserve bandwidth for certain types of data transmissions. —PC Magazine, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for reserve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reserve
  1. restraint
  2. supply
  3. substitute
  4. spare
  5. book
  6. retain
  7. dedicate
  8. discipline
Noun
  • After George Floyd was killed in 2020, many police departments across the country banned or restricted the knee-on-neck restraint.
    — Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 27 May 2025
  • Rickson stages both plays with elegant restraint, arranging just a few bits of furniture in front of a bare brick wall.
    — Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 22 May 2025
Definition of restraint
Noun
  • The problem is especially pronounced in Arizona’s rural areas, many of which don’t have groundwater regulations, and little backup supply from rivers.
    — Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
  • Grower supply stores and landscape supply companies can be good sources for large amounts of potting mix.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Definition of supply
Noun
  • The information provided here is not legal advice and does not purport to be a substitute for advice of counsel on any specific matter.
    — Jonathan Carson, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • The time allocated could not be a substitute for instructional time.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2025
Definition of substitute
Noun
  • Being the spare to Prince George, the future heir, is a vulnerable place — one fraught with potential pitfalls that her uncle Prince Harry, who also grew up as the spare, has made all too clear.
    — Simon Perry, People.com, 7 May 2025
  • There’s plenty of head room in both rows of seats and a spacious cargo compartment that offers features including a rubber mat, dog-friendly package and a neat underfloor compartment that creates space for a full-size spare — something serious off-roaders demand.
    — Mark Phelan, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of spare
Verb
  • The train departs from Blue Ridge, one of the best mountain towns in the South, and passengers have the option to book either the 2-hour express tour or the 4-hour extended tour, which allows time to explore McCaysville and Copperhill during a 2-hour layover.
    — Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
  • The driver, 39-year-old Jason Watson of Moorpark, was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
Definition of book
Verb
  • So far, the second-term Trump Administration has scrubbed federal websites, limited reporters’ access, and used disappearing-message apps for high-level communications that typically should be retained for posterity.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 23 May 2025
  • While the physical manuscripts have returned to China and will go on view at the National Museum of China in July, the Smithsonian will retain digital versions of the documents for further research.
    — Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025
Definition of retain
Verb
  • The Long Beach port was dedicated in 1911, and like Southern California itself, went like gangbusters.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
  • Unlike industry legacy methods where people and technologies are stretched over the entire process, Rocket has broken down the workflow into distinct stages and has dedicated people and technologies at each step.
    — Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 24 May 2025
Definition of dedicate
Noun
  • Such defensive discipline and intelligent street-smarts have meant that Inzaghi’s side have trailed for just 16 minutes across the whole Champions League campaign — just one per cent of their total time on the pitch.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 31 May 2025
  • The combination of meditation and art gave me both discipline and expression.
    — Shekar Natarajan, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of discipline

Browse Nearby Words

reservations
reserve
reserved
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Cite this Entry

“Reserve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reserve. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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