Thesaurus

reserve

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of reserve

1 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 of reserve

constraint, continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression

Words Related to reserve

command, control, mastery, possession

self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower

composure, self-poise, self-possession

aloofness, detachedness, distance

bashfulness, modesty, shyness

reticence, silence, taciturnity

Near Antonyms of reserve

self-abandonment, uninhibitedness

unrestrainedness

gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence

bluntness, candor, frankness

immoderacy, intemperance

Antonyms of reserve

disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint

2 a collection of things kept available for future use or need

our fuel reserves are low

Synonyms of reserve

cache, deposit, hoard, store

Words Related to reserve

budget, fund, nest egg

armory, arsenal, bank, pool, reservoir, stock, stockpile, supply

accumulation, assemblage, collection, gathering

3 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 of reserve

backup, cover, designated hitter, fill-in, locum tenens, pinch hitter, relief, replacement, stand-in, sub, substitute

Words Related to reserve

alternate, understudy

apology, makeshift, stopgap

agent, assignee, attorney, commissary, delegate, deputy, envoy, factor, procurator, proxy, rep, representative, surrogate

assistant, reliever, second

successor, superseder

4 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 of reserve

Words Related to reserve

backup, substitute

carbon copy, clone, copy, double, dummy, dupe, duplicate, replacement, replica, replication, reproduction

Near Antonyms of reserve

archetype, original, prototype

reserve

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of reserve

1 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 of reserve

Words Related to reserve

contract, engage, hire, retain

2 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 of reserve

hold, keep, retain, withhold

Words Related to reserve

conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save

boast, enjoy, have, own, possess

command, control, detain, direct, manage, rule

cherish, cling (to), hug, treasure

Phrases Synonymous with reserve

hang on to, hold on to

Near Antonyms of reserve

abandon, cede, drop

contribute, donate, give, hand out

decline, reject, repudiate, spurn

Antonyms of reserve

give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield

3 to keep or intend for a special purpose

we must reserve this cup for ceremonial use only

Synonyms of reserve

allocate, consecrate, dedicate, devote, earmark, give up (to), save, set by

Words Related to reserve

bless, hallow, sanctify

commit, confide, consign, entrust (also intrust)

apply, bestow, employ, use

Phrases Synonymous with reserve

set apart, set aside

Near Antonyms of reserve

ignore, neglect

misapply, misuse

Synonym Discussion of reserve

keep, retain, detain, withhold, reserve mean to hold in one's possession or under one's control. keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control.

- keep this while I'm gone

retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss.

- managed to retain their dignity even in poverty

detain suggests a delay in letting go.

- detained them for questioning

withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go.

- withheld information from the authorities

reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use.

- reserve some of your energy for the last mile

Learn More about reserve

See words that rhyme with reserve Dictionary: Definition of reserve Medical Dictionary: Definition of reserve Spanish Central: Translation of reserve Nglish: Translation of reserve for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of reserve for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up reserve? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

comprise

to be made up of