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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
Fans with general admission pit tickets were presented with the option of accepting refunds or receiving unsold reserved seats in the stands. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2025 Melt remaining 5 tablespoons butter in Dutch oven with reserved drippings over medium. Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
For the first time, machines can perform not only repetitive tasks, but cognitive work once reserved for humans. Marc Benioff, Time, 28 Aug. 2025 At least seven state park campgrounds are fully reserved, according to the park reservation system, and limited spots remain open at nearly three dozen parks across the southern and northern Lower Peninsula, and the Upper Peninsula. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reserved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reserved
Adjective
  • Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez appears destined for free agency as contract talks are reportedly completely silent.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • As foreign dignitaries descend in Beijing this week, the conflicting narratives on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are a reminder that eight decades after Japan's surrender, the guns may be silent, but the battle over the legacy of the war is far from over.
    Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Jake and Rebecca were arrested that same day on suspicion of murder and booked into custody.
    Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The interview took place at a Tarrant County jail where Obiedo had been booked on an offense in another case.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Here are all the times a team has retained the trophy, with Madrid in 2017 the first to do so in the Champions League era.
    Will Jeanes, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Funds advised by Permira retained a majority investment.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Pope Francis died in April, before the Borgo Laudato Si’ could be formally dedicated.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The original simple wooden-structure building, located near what is now Hamilton Avenue and John Gray Road, was dedicated in 1854.
    Enquirer staff report, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Griffin Dunne, Carol Kane, Liev Schreiber, Bad Bunny, Regina King, Vincent D’Onofrio, and more (plus a murderer’s row of recognizable NYC voices) all add the kind of sparkle that Butler’s more restrained (and often quite compelling) performance can’t quite allow for.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Medium-full, with excellent ripeness, very good acidity, restrained wood notes and impressive persistence; the finish displays notes of green herbs and wet stone.
    Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Augusta Gein, intent on protecting her two sons from temptation, made sure the family kept to themselves.
    Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • One-of-a-kind concepts and special vehicles are kept at Ford's world headquarters.
    Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • After studying tapestry at the Duperré School of Applied Arts in Paris, Franjou has devoted herself to sculptural work with linen since 1999.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Grandfather Alcide devoted his life to the farm, father Alessandro modernized it, and today, Alberto, together with his wife Cinzia, has transformed it into a thriving agro-tourism destination.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Sometimes, actors play a slightly dumber iteration of themselves; think James Van Der Beek in Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 and Liam Neeson in Life’s Too Short (a performance that got Neeson cast in this year’s The Naked Gun).
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reserved. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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