reserved 1 of 2

reserved

2 of 2

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
The journey is comfortable, with reserved seats, onboard restrooms, and no worries about parking or crowded overlooks. Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025 Garnish with reserved fennel fronds. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
In the video, Ringo gently rests his head on her shoulder — an intimate gesture once reserved for Scout alone. Ashley Vega, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 As the sixth Malt Master in Glenfiddich’s 130-year history, Brian has taken on a role reserved for only a select few since William Grant & Sons first distilled a drop of whisky. Noel Burgess, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reserved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reserved
Adjective
  • For some patients, other tools—like a coronary calcium scan, which can directly show whether there’s silent plaque in the arteries—may be more useful.
    Sarah Garone, Health, 9 Sep. 2025
  • One silent element to the transfer portal that is seldom discussed, but important to the athletes, is those pesky classes.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • He was booked into Thurston County Jail on suspicion of robbery and aggravated battery, police said.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Billionaire philanthropist and early Microsoft employee Melinda French Gates is booked out every Monday morning for a walk with her three closest female friends, with whom she’s been connected for more than 30 years.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Canales retained Evero in 2024 with the thought that the defensive coordinator would essentially be the head coach of the defense.
    Mike Kaye September 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Fixed and variable factory labor is carefully managed, with core labor retained full-time and trade labor flexed as needed.
    Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • To add insult to injury, the newspaper’s staff of five now occupies half a floor in Enervate headquarters in downtown Toledo, a grand pre-war building that was once dedicated entirely to the paper.
    Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Rowling has dedicated money earned from previous and ongoing Harry Potter IP to create her own organization to fund anti-trans advocacy.
    Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Climate scientists have long been vexed by the disconnect between the dire warnings blared by their models and the restrained policies enacted by world leaders.
    Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
  • There is nothing restrained about the family room, with brick walls that feature a bright splash of chartreuse (Benjamin Moore’s Wasabi, AF-430).
    Jeanne Lyons Davis, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Adding flip-flops kept it less serious.
    Libby Page, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2025
  • For the second year in a row, this gritty paste has kept our lips softer, smoother, and flake-freer than any of its peers.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Moscow has devoted considerable resources, manpower, and political will to its invasion of the country next door.
    Jeremy Shapiro, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Wicks’ modest-but-devoted flock includes devout church lady Martha Delacroix (Close), circumspect groundskeeper Samson Holt (Church), tightly-wound lawyer Vera Draven, Esq.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Napier got a one-year honeymoon until a Week 1 loss at Utah in 2023, the year when the Gators committed a silly amount of dumb penalties (including the original instance of two guys wearing the same jersey).
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The reigning Super Bowl champs better hope that’s the dumbest thing that one of their players does this season.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reserved. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on reserved

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!