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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
1
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
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
Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 15 Mar. 2025
But then the reserves took the baton until Clifford took over.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2025
Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
At my company, Boston Scientific, for example, a seat is reserved for IT at every strategy table across the company, from R&D and manufacturing to sales and marketing.
—Jodi Euerle Eddy, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reserve
Noun
Fifth-year senior small forward Jordan Geronimo’s 11 points (nine in the first half) set a career high in a league tournament game and were the most by a reserve since junior power forward Tafara Gapare scored 12 in an 83-59 romp over Ohio State on Dec. 4.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 15 Mar. 2025
But then the reserves took the baton until Clifford took over.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
The pair will return with astronauts who arrived last September on a SpaceX rescue mission, which included two empty seats reserved for Wilmore and Williams.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
At my company, Boston Scientific, for example, a seat is reserved for IT at every strategy table across the company, from R&D and manufacturing to sales and marketing.
—Jodi Euerle Eddy, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reserve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reserve
Noun
-
Sullivan was being held on charges of assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment before she was released on Thursday after posting $300,000 bail.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Sullivan, a 56-year-old Connecticut woman, has been charged with assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty and reckless endangerment.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The addition of dozens of games for broadcast TV increases supply in the market at a time when demand for linear TV is waning — a problem the NFL has faced in the recent past.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2025
-
The company is cutting back supply on its classic sneaker lines Air Force 1 and Pegasus to try to juice demand and sell these sneakers at full prices.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Boateng played 48 minutes on March 1 and logged 28 minutes as a substitute in last week’s 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
-
There was one game at Newcastle when a new player was sent on as a substitute and promptly lost the opponent he was meant to be marking at a set piece.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Because their visitors were man-for-man, whoever pressed Ederson would leave a player spare.—
Liam Tharme,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Most former Grand Prix bikes that reach auction have a racing provenance, but this one is an absolute unicorn – a grand prix racing bike untouched from new, with spares.—
Mike Hanlon,
New Atlas,
12 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Unique Sleeping Arrangements When booking the journey between Denver and Salt Lake City, the fare includes overnight hotel accommodations in Glenwood Springs and Moab.—
Will McGough,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Passengers can book a regular round-trip ticket, and get a complimentary companion fare that can be used for a friend, spouse, or anyone else.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The same is true in business, where a work environment built on positive reinforcement keeps turnover low and helps retain top talent.—
Rhett Power,
Rolling Stone,
12 Mar. 2025
-
San Francisco-based Niantic will retain its technology and spin it into a new company called Niantic Spatial Inc., according to a release on its website, which will help machines learn to interact with the real world using artificial intelligence.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
And several researchers who have dedicated their career to studying vaccine behaviors have not yet heard that their grants have been affected.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The film also dedicates a fair amount of its story to a skewering of self-actualization seminars.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Yet, despite the Jayhawks’ inarguable strengths, there were times throughout the current season when Self’s men looked lackluster, tossing on-court discipline and good form to the wind.—
Andy Frye,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
-
As the Web3 ecosystem continues to evolve, those who can bridge these worlds—who can operate with the discipline of traditional finance while harnessing the dynamism of decentralized innovation—will be the ones who define the future.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reserve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reserve. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share