preserve

verb

pri-ˈzərv How to pronounce preserve (audio)
Definition of preservenext
as in to conserve
to keep in good condition vigilantly preserving the ancient statue for future generations to enjoy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Recent Examples of preserve Instead of preserving outdated traditions, empower younger employees to remove values and practices that no longer serve the company and its customers. — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 Despite the Trump administration’s move to dismantle the department, funding for these programs, which includes Pell Grants for college students, will be preserved, but redistributed to other agencies, Trump said on Thursday ahead of the executive order’s signing. — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025 His pseudonym is not intended to protect his identity, but to preserve the discretion about Antoinism required by his Council. — Emilien Hofman (tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 20 Mar. 2025 Margolis would rather see the parcel preserved as a green space or a park. — Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for preserve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preserve
  1. conserve
  2. maintain
  3. save
  4. protect
Verb
  • Americans in New Jersey and Delaware have been urged to conserve water amid drought conditions and wildfires.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
  • This can help align incentives and conserve precious capital.
    — Joseph Edgar, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of conserve
Verb
  • The town celebrates its history and maintains links to its past through the collection of antique farm equipment at the Eastern Washington Agricultural Museum and the Garfield County Museum.
    — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Clear any noticeable salt bridges in the brine tank and use the correct salt for your type of water softener to maintain its functionality.
    — Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of maintain
Verb
  • There's no one at home to keep comfortable, and lowering the temperature in winter or increasing it in summer will save real money on your utility bills.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
  • If captured correctly, these fees can reduce your taxable income and save you on taxes.
    — Shehan Chandrasekera, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of save
Verb
  • Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
    — Tony East, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Security Features CrashPlan uses extensive security protocols to protect your data, including end-to-end encryption during transit and storage.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of protect

Browse Nearby Words

preserve
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preserve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preserve. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on preserve

Nglish: Translation of preserve for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about preserve

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

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

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

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
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
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All