reserved 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈzərvd How to pronounce reserved (audio)
Definition of reservednext
as in silent
tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination) a reserved and shy person who was wrongly thought to be stuck-up until someone finally got into a conversation with her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reserved

2 of 2

verb

past tense of reserve
1
as in booked
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 retained
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 dedicated
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 reserved distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of reserved are reticent, secretive, silent, and taciturn. While all these words mean "showing restraint in speaking," reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

When could reticent be used to replace reserved?

While the synonyms reticent and reserved are close in meaning, reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

When would secretive be a good substitute for reserved?

In some situations, the words secretive and reserved are roughly equivalent. However, secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.

the secretive research and development division

When is it sensible to use silent instead of reserved?

The meanings of silent and reserved largely overlap; however, silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

Where would taciturn be a reasonable alternative to reserved?

While in some cases nearly identical to reserved, taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

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 reserved
Adjective
But Vientos was surprised to find out that someone who plays with so much flair on the field was so reserved. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025 Cartagena, Spain, won third prize for its assistance to people with disabilities bathing at popular beaches, and for reserved accessible seats at public events. —Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
And there were also a couple dozen members of the public seated to witness the court proceedings and they were seated in the back of the courtroom in a couple of rows that are reserved for members of the public. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025 This type of funeral is typically reserved for line-of-duty deaths, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council. —Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reserved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reserved
  1. silent
  2. retained
  3. restrained
  4. kept
  5. devoted
  6. dumb
  7. held
  8. preserved
Adjective
  • While the Kardashians have remained publicly silent in response to his latest outburst, Ye’s ongoing battle with his former in-laws continues to play out in the public eye.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Musk was silent on his X platform in the wake of Crawford’s victory, reposting a message about Vietnam and tariffs but nothing on the Supreme Court contest.
    — Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of silent
Verb
  • Leicester have retained their former men’s training ground, Belvoir Drive, just outside the city centre, which is situated in a housing estate, and there is so far no information on the Land Registry of a sale.
    — Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Producers hold onto their rights and their IP and the value from our spend is retained in the UK, not across the Atlantic.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of retained
Adjective
  • Clean lines, streamlined silhouettes, and restrained details result in impactful simplicity, which is exactly what a minimalist bride aspires for.
    — Sarah Zendejas, Vogue, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Frank and vulnerable, her restrained vocal performance is the perfect pairing for Sundae Beats’ lush, ethereal soundscape.
    — Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of restrained
Verb
  • The family has kept all the dresses, along with the accessories, from throughout the years.
    — Jordan Greene, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Rodgers joined the Jets last season and immediately suffered an injury that kept him out of action all year.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of kept
Verb
  • Bradbury co-authored a 2023 study that found that between 1970 and 2020, state and local governments devoted $33 billion in public funds to construct major-league sports venues in the United States and Canada.
    — Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Yale University has no explicit policy on AI and college essays, but the admissions office devoted an entire podcast to the subject.
    — Brad Tuttle, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2025
Definition of devoted
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    — Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    — Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Definition of dumb
Verb
  • The chief executives of all three held a joint press conference in Tokyo.
    — Kantaro Komiya, The Tennessean, 24 Dec. 2024
  • He is currently being held at a federal detention center in Brooklyn.
    — Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of held
Verb
  • The agreement preserved DeSantis control over the district, while allowing for a new development plan to be crafted.
    — Skyler Swisher, Sun Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024
  • The Historic Landmark District is well preserved, granted a bit of luck was involved.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 27 Dec. 2024
Definition of preserved

Browse Nearby Words

reserve
reserved
reservedness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reserved. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on reserved

Nglish: Translation of reserved for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All