reserved 1 of 2

Definition of reservednext

reserved

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verb

past tense of reserve

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
Free, or $38 for a reserved seat and book copy. La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2026 Add 1 cup shredded skinless rotisserie chicken breast and reserved pasta to lettuce and drizzle dressing over. Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 June 2026
Verb
This exceptionally rare designation is reserved for the most extreme fire weather conditions. Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 June 2026 Half of seats are reserved for students from low-income families. Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for reserved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reserved
Adjective
  • That silent fear comes back as an earnout, where you only get paid if that client stays.
    Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • Beyond the music, there are festive parades, workshops for making puppets or gardening, a 5K run, yoga, silent discos and much more.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Zaire, 24, was arrested and booked in Los Angeles, where his bond was set at $50,000, according to arrest records reviewed by PEOPLE.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
  • Other artists booked for other nights, including Morris Day, Martina McBride and Bret Michaels, canceled their plans amid the initial firestorm over whether Freedom 250 is a nonpartisan or MAGA-affiliated organization.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party retained its large parliamentary majority in recent elections overshadowed by unrest in Africa’s second-most-populous country.
    Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 22 June 2026
  • One-year-old Kohen Wiley, his mother and a family friend were in the vehicle at the time, according to Ben Crump Law, which has been retained by the victim's family.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • For the dedicated, a 24-hour gym is set next to the spa.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 June 2026
  • Knicks alumnus Stephon Marbury spent nine seasons playing in the Chinese Basketball Association and became so beloved that the city of Beijing dedicated a museum in his honor.
    Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • The officers and Martin struggle briefly and then he is physically restrained face down.
    HANNAH FINGERHUT, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
  • The officers and Martin struggle briefly and then he is physically restrained face down.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • The Cubs kept the game plan fairly simple for Peterson in his debut following a whirlwind couple of days after learning he had been traded Wednesday evening.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
  • All calls will be kept confidential.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Jim Cramer devoted his Sunday column for Investing Club subscribers to answering that question.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 29 June 2026
  • German political scientist Jürgen Falter has devoted much of his career to studying Nazi membership records and has written extensively on the rise of Adolf Hitler and his party.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • Not all blondes are dumb, don’t judge a book by its cover, yada yada yada, lo and behold, Reese Witherspoon is a certified movie star.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 June 2026
  • Though Cady has made some gestures toward helping the Bowdens, like his behind-the-scenes effort to get one of Anna’s death-row clients exonerated last week, Tom and Anna should not be so dumb as to ignore his ulterior motives.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Reserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reserved. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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