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
• intrusts
• sanctifies
• consigns
• commits
• employs
• confides
• blesses
• bestows
• applies
• hallows

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignores
• neglects
• misuses
• misapplies

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of reserves

Noun

This is a dramatic shift resulting from a substantial drop in living standards over the last few years, a drop that was not cushioned by the nation’s vast lithium reserves. —Daniel Markind, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Italy’s Eni and France’s TotalEnergies are also exploring oil production opportunities in Congo Brazzaville, as the government tries to harness its hydrocarbon reserves to solve economic challenges. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Tanzania has larger parks and reserves, such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Ruaha National Park. —Kent Redding, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2025

In order to generate heat, the brown fat cells need to draw on energy reserves stored in other fat cells. —Diana Hubbell, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2025

The district will need to take funding from its reserves to cover the deficit, in addition to developing a three- to five-year plan to eventually reach a balanced budget. —Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025

There have been no decisions how to use that money in the future, but the city has other debts and officials have pointed to refilling Anaheim’s reserves. —Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025

China asserts sovereignty over more than 80 percent of the South China Sea, a conduit for roughly one-third of global maritime trade and believed to hold vast oil and gas reserves. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025

Nat Hab will secure permits to look for pandas in the wild, remote reserves, while also taking travelers to panda-research centers and breeding sites for an education on conservation efforts, research and rehabilitations. —Gaby Keiderling, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025

Verb

Unlike Samsung, which reserves its anti-reflective display for the $1,000+ Galaxy S25 Ultra, Apple is offering its latest screen advancements on its most affordable model. —Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

The proposal reserves the right to force a divestiture of the rest of DFP if necessary to open this market. —Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2025

The system runs simulations to predict where stress will build up in a 3D model, then reserves high-performance plastics for those regions. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025

The airline reserves the right to refuse transportation to plus-size passengers who cannot be safely accommodated. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

Training your dog is not a requirement on Bark Air, though the airline reserves the right to refuse the boarding of any dog (or human) who poses a potential safety risk to others. —Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2025