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

Facing a potential domestic supply shortage, Russia recently extended a diesel export ban through the end of September, straining what were already critically low global diesel reserves. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026

Head coach Eli Drinkwitz praised his team’s first-half performance but was displeased with the lack of intensity and sloppiness by reserves in the second half. — Pj Green september 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

This has included pumping water from the Sea of Galilee, activating groundwater wells and using national water reserves. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Meanwhile, China currently holds nearly half of the world’s wheat reserves. — CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

But a winning franchise isn’t going to sit veteran starters so its first- and second-year reserves can begin to work toward 2028. — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Mining, which in some cases could happen near reserves in the Amazon rainforest, comes with major environmental risks. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Congress has about six years to shore up the Social Security trust fund, which is expected to run out of reserves by the end of 2032. — Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026

Unlike other parts of the world, where geologists have to search for untapped oil, the reserves under Venezuela’s soil are largely mapped and known, experts say. — Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

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

The president’s tactic came after Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who voted against the president in the ruling, noted that Congress reserves the right to pass legislation changing the law. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2026