Synonyms of reserves

reserves 1 of 2

noun

plural of reserve

1

as in deposits

a collection of things kept available for future use or need

our fuel reserves are low

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deposits
• supplies
• hoards
• caches
• stores
• funds
• collections
• reservoirs
• stockpiles
• arsenals
• budgets
• banks
• stocks
• accumulations
• nest eggs
• pools
• armories
• gatherings
• assemblages

2

as in substitutes

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 & Similar Words

• substitutes
• replacements
• backups
• surrogates
• assistants
• subs
• covers
• reliefs
• pinch hitters
• proxies
• designated hitters
• delegates
• alternates
• stand-ins
• locum tenentes
• fill-ins
• deputies
• representatives
• agents
• apologies
• understudies
• factors
• commissaries
• makeshifts
• assignees
• attorneys
• reps
• seconds
• successors
• relievers
• procurators
• envoys
• stopgaps
• superseders

3

as in spares

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 & Similar Words

• spares
• substitutes
• backups
• replacements
• extras
• stocks
• copies
• reproductions
• doubles
• duplicates
• clones
• replicas
• carbon copies
• dupes
• dummies
• replications

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• originals
• prototypes
• archetypes

reserves

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of reserve

1

as in books

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 & Similar Words

• books
• hires
• retains
• bespeaks
• contracts
• earmarks
• engages

2

as in retains

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 & Similar Words

• retains
• keeps
• holds
• preserves
• possesses
• has
• withholds
• saves
• conserves
• protects
• hangs on to
• holds on to
• guards
• owns
• enjoys
• manages
• controls
• boasts
• rules
• treasures
• harbors
• commands
• directs
• clings (to)
• hugs
• cherishes
• detains
• bears

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• yields
• releases
• relinquishes
• surrenders
• contributes
• gives up
• drops
• gives
• abandons
• declines
• donates
• cedes
• rejects
• dumps
• hands over
• discards
• loses
• repudiates
• hands out
• spurns

3

as in dedicates

to keep or intend for a special purpose

we must reserve this cup for ceremonial use only

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dedicates
• devotes
• saves
• allocates
• gives up (to)
• earmarks
• sets apart
• sets by
• sets aside
• consecrates
• uses
• entrusts
• sanctifies
• consigns
• commits
• employs
• confides
• blesses
• bestows
• applies
• hallows

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignores
• neglects
• misuses
• misapplies

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of reserves

Noun

But expanding domestic and allied capacity to manufacture the most critical medicines and ingredients — and maintain adequate strategic reserves — would dramatically reduce China’s leverage in any future crisis. — Patrick McHenry, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026

Newer venues typically hold about a year’s worth of debt service payments across multiple reserves. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026

The study recommended keeping reserves equal to about two months of operating expenses, plus additional money for capital projects. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026

The European Central Bank and Brussels also fear that confiscating Russia’s reserves would damage the euro’s standing and Belgium’s reputation as a financial safe haven. — Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026

While consumer spending has remained resilient, Americans have been drawing down their reserves in the process. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026

Construction is proposed in three stages, while about $100 billion would cover construction and another $20 billion would be held as contingency reserves. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026

Some countries did have strategic reserves, but a massive coordinated release from those supplies didn’t make a difference for long – and those reserves may need to be replenished, paradoxically increasing demand for oil in the future. — The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026

Coach Cheryl Reeve turned to her reserves for an extended run in the third quarter, where Minnesota finally found a rhythm and cut the lead back to single digits. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Verb

But what is the point of trying to enlarge our sympathies if a writer reserves such gestures for ethically perfect people? — Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026

An all-black rendition of the Jimmy Butler 4 then reserves it only for the tongue. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

The airline also reserves the right to boot passengers who flout the policy and even to ban them from flying the friendly skies. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

If that happens, the team reserves the right to pivot to Sanders. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Samsung also reserves several of its best Galaxy Watch features for first-party phones, while the Apple Watch only works with iPhones. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026

The Sponsor reserves the right to verify and confirm each Entrant's compliance with eligibility requirements. — August 16, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026

Emma Acker, who runs the meetup at Sparrow, reserves a portion of her time for clients who can’t afford her services. — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Company reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if necessary. — The Athletic, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026