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

Organizations increasingly route routine requests through smaller, less expensive models while reserving advanced systems for more complex work. — Michael Edmondson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

The city is considering changes to infrastructure, such as reserving curb space, to accommodate the Waymo rides, Pluckebaum said. — Madison Smalstig july 31, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026

Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid (don’t rinse pasta). — Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026

The protests stemmed from a High Court decision to uphold a quota system reserving 30% of government jobs for descendants of the veterans of the 1971 independence war. — Šumit Ganguly, NPR, 27 July 2026

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

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