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 continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, constraint, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppressionWords 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, taciturnityNear Antonyms of reserve self-abandonment, uninhibitedness; unrestrainedness; gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence; bluntness, candor, frankness; immoderacy, intemperanceAntonyms 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, storeWords 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, substitute, stand-in, subWords 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 extra, spareWords Related to reserve backup, substitute; stock; carbon copy, clone, copy, double, dummy, dupe, duplicate, replacement, replica, replication, reproductionNear Antonyms of reserve archetype, original, prototype

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 bespeak, book Words Related to reserve earmark; 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, withholdWords Related to reserve conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save; boast, enjoy, have, own, possess; command, control, detain, direct, manage, rule; bear, harbor; cherish, cling (to), hug, treasureNear Antonyms of reserve abandon, cede, drop; contribute, donate, give, hand out; discard, dump; decline, reject, repudiate, spurn; loseAntonyms 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, earmark, give up (to), devote, save, set byWords Related to reserve bless, hallow, sanctify; commit, confide, consign, entrust (also intrust); apply, bestow, employ, useNear Antonyms of reserve ignore, neglect; misapply, misuse