1
as in booking
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
Relevance
2
as in retaining
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dedicating
to keep or intend for a special purpose
we must reserve this cup for ceremonial use only
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reserving
Remove bacon from pan with a slotted spoon, reserving drippings in pan.
—
Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Like Mendocino, Elk rewards those who take a slower pace, reserving its magic for those who put their phones in their pockets and look around.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The benefit for the Chiefs would be reserving an extra player or two on the roster.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Some funeral expenses aren’t negotiable, though, including transporting the body, reserving the facility and booking the service.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2025
Plan ahead by booking direct flights, reserving suitable seats, and researching airport facilities.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
Travelers interested in reserving one of the Pokémon Beach Resort Stays can book directly on the Grand Hyatt Tokyo website.
—Jalyn Robinson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2025
In some countries, the warning cites a 2019 European Union copyright law largely opposed by major tech companies that allows creators to opt out of having their material used in scientific research by explicitly reserving their rights.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
The annual feature began in 2005 as a spinoff of then-Tribune dining critic Phil Vettel’s now-defunct Save the Tables, reserving show tickets instead of restaurant tables for New Year’s Eve.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Like Mendocino, Elk rewards those who take a slower pace, reserving its magic for those who put their phones in their pockets and look around.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The benefit for the Chiefs would be reserving an extra player or two on the roster.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Some funeral expenses aren’t negotiable, though, including transporting the body, reserving the facility and booking the service.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2025
Plan ahead by booking direct flights, reserving suitable seats, and researching airport facilities.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
Travelers interested in reserving one of the Pokémon Beach Resort Stays can book directly on the Grand Hyatt Tokyo website.
—Jalyn Robinson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2025
In some countries, the warning cites a 2019 European Union copyright law largely opposed by major tech companies that allows creators to opt out of having their material used in scientific research by explicitly reserving their rights.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
The annual feature began in 2005 as a spinoff of then-Tribune dining critic Phil Vettel’s now-defunct Save the Tables, reserving show tickets instead of restaurant tables for New Year’s Eve.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reserving
Verb
-
That’s the message from senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who has put the boot into the nation’s top football leagues for booking international entertainers to lead their grand final festivities.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
-
This could mean booking a therapy session, spending the day at a spa or taking more personal days.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For an Indiana group that has high hopes, retaining effective young talent is a must.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
And yet, despite the somewhat shaky premise—retaining the services of an insurance company that isn’t State Farm is like hiring the All About the Bass warbler to oversee your star quarterback’s injury prevention and/or rehabilitation regimen—the spot hasn’t worn out its welcome.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
By keeping communication consistent, dedicating time for setup and being transparent about the role, employers can create a strong, supportive onboarding process.—
Alyshia Hull,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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CISOs should also consider dedicating a portion of learning and development budgets to continuous technical education.—
Josh Lemos,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Following his arrest, Robinson initially spoke with some law enforcement but quickly went silent Friday morning after hiring a lawyer, sources familiar with the matter previously told CNN.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Executives and entrepreneurs have been for some time finding that other states offer better opportunities (but government managers in California have been hiring, which does more harm to the private sector more than good).—
Kerry Jackson,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Outside of Seville, Thompson, Lyles, and Bednarek keeping the Jamaica versus USA rivalry alive, the most notable observation of the race is that 50% of the finalists were from African nations, a strong feat for an event typically dominated by the aforementioned countries.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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While Hadden-Paton was unsuccessful in keeping his dapper suit, his costar, Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham, confessed to Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan on Live!—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In a world of student loans and ever-increasing housing costs, the notion of devoting all of your time to obsessing over the meaning of nineteenth-century poetry does indeed feel like more of a fantasy than witchcraft or demons.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Aug. 2025
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At some point the plan shifted from devoting one season to each of the five years, to having the first season cover one year and the second cover four.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For every person holding the statue, there are four or five who came close and didn’t.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The extra point was good but there was a holding penalty on the Rebels.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Immediate gratification often outweighs long-term goals, creating a constant tension between saving and spending.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
-
What began as a school assignment has evolved into a potential life-saving tool for explosive ordnance disposal teams across the Defense Department.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reserving. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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