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 The conference was trying to preserve its ability to use the league's bylaws for possible sanctions against Texas Tech had Sorsby played this season. — ABC News, 7 July 2026 Leaving respectfully can preserve those relationships, and that matters more than staying out of guilt ever will. — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 7 July 2026 For instance, Andrews has adopted the historic technique of preserving cheese wheels in tawny port to enhance the flavor. — Justin Meneguzzi, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026 When organizations assume new technology preserves old protections, the risk of being wrong is real. — Daniel Cohen, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for preserve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preserve
  1. conserve
  2. maintain
  3. save
  4. protect
Verb
  • In Cañon City, Colorado, authorities are aiming for a 20% to 30% reduction in water use while asking residents to voluntarily conserve outdoor water consumption.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • This will be a physically gruelling knockout stage, the first World Cup with five knockout matches, and conserving energy for later matches makes sense.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of conserve
Verb
  • They are typically used during construction to maintain stability.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
  • Under a settlement agreement signed July 6, Christopher Newport agreed to hiring a full-time interim head coach and assistant and maintain the program through at least August 2030.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of maintain
Verb
  • There’s a bunch of new things across most of the 2026 range, mainly cosmetic, but also hardware and weight-saving stuff as well.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
  • The measure could incentivize lawmakers to save more money because funds tucked away in the rainy day fund would no longer be considered expenditures counted toward the spending limit.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of save
Verb
  • The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
  • There aren’t enough ships to protect the reopening trade routes from pirates.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of protect

Browse Nearby Words

preservative
preserve
preserved
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preserve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preserve. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulcrum

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

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

Commonly Misspelled Words

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
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 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?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All