Synonyms of reserving

reserving

verb

present participle of reserve

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

• booking
• hiring
• retaining
• earmarking
• bespeaking
• contracting
• engaging

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

• retaining
• keeping
• holding
• preserving
• saving
• possessing
• having
• withholding
• protecting
• conserving
• enjoying
• guarding
• owning
• holding on to
• managing
• controlling
• hanging on to
• boasting
• directing
• ruling
• commanding
• detaining
• harboring
• hugging
• clinging (to)
• cherishing
• treasuring
• bearing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• releasing
• yielding
• relinquishing
• abandoning
• surrendering
• giving
• contributing
• dropping
• giving up
• donating
• dumping
• discarding
• ceding
• rejecting
• declining
• handing over
• handing out
• losing
• repudiating
• spurning

3

as in dedicating

to keep or intend for a special purpose

we must reserve this cup for ceremonial use only

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dedicating
• devoting
• saving
• allocating
• earmarking
• consecrating
• giving up (to)
• setting apart
• using
• setting aside
• entrusting
• setting by
• sanctifying
• employing
• consigning
• committing
• confiding
• applying
• blessing
• bestowing
• hallowing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignoring
• neglecting
• misusing
• misapplying

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of reserving

Cook until al dente according to the package directions, reserving 3/4 cup of the pasta water before draining. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

Feel free to wear your wedding band daily, reserving the engagement ring for special occasions. — Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 17 July 2026

Horace Dediu, founder of Asymco, said Apple is likely trying to keep the large majority of common Siri interactions on-device while reserving the most demanding tasks for the cloud. — Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 14 July 2026

But for taxpayers with a solid compliance history who slip up once, automatically applying relief—instead of reserving it for those who know to ask—is a welcome change. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Julia Child and Ina Garten both recommend reserving starchy potato liquid for a well-balanced potato salad. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026

But Miami could be reserving this exception for veteran free agents as a team in win-now mode following the acquisition of Antetokounmpo. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026

Seats are limited, and Peacock recommends reserving them in advance. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026

An unwritten rule reserving membership for liberal democracies keeps authoritarian China out, even as its trade surplus, rare minerals, military buildup and huge carbon footprint dominate the summit’s agenda. — John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026