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

The Venezuelan government granted an obscure private oil company, North American Blue Energy Partners, concessions to develop those reserves. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

The water authority has so far avoided dipping into drought reserves thanks to a network of upstream reservoirs, but officials have acknowledged conditions are trending in the wrong direction as winters grow warmer and snowmelt arrives earlier. — Piper Heath, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Bernal was the third of the four to make his debut, at 17, after making 31 appearances for Barca’s reserves. — Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Cutting overseas dependency China possesses extensive rubidium and cesium reserves locked inside specialty lithium ores and salt-lake brines. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026

And, while the county has gotten the budget passed and met its goal of not further spending down its reserves, much remains to be seen. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

One was a report that said MISO was simply at risk of having low generating reserves, which are typically deployed during unexpected shortfalls. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026

Lawson has continued to use Clark with a younger group of reserves that includes Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Most tickets are snapped up by the event’s sponsors, but Visit Sacramento reserves a few for the general public. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Verb

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

Over the past 15 years, senior Saudi leaders, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, have repeatedly warned that should Tehran successfully develop a nuclear weapon, Riyadh reserves the right to do the same. — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026