RESERVED Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'reserved' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of reserved are reticent , secretive , silent , and taciturn . While all these words mean "showing restraint in speaking," reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange. // greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

Q: When could 'reticent' be used to replace 'reserved'?

While the synonyms reticent and reserved are close in meaning, reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs. // was reticent about his plans

Q: When would 'secretive' be a good substitute for 'reserved'?

In some situations, the words secretive and reserved are roughly equivalent. However, secretive , too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal. // the secretive research and development division

Q: When is it sensible to use 'silent' instead of 'reserved'?

The meanings of silent and reserved largely overlap; however, silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed. // the strong, silent type

Q: Where would 'taciturn' be a reasonable alternative to 'reserved'?

While in some cases nearly identical to reserved , taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability. // taciturn villagers

reserved 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈzərvd

Definition of reserved

as in silent

tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination) a reserved and shy person who was wrongly thought to be stuck-up until someone finally got into a conversation with her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reserved

2 of 2

verb

past tense of reserve

as in booked

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

as in retained

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

as in dedicated

to keep or intend for a special purpose we must reserve this cup for ceremonial use only

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word reserved distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of reserved are reticent, secretive, silent, and taciturn. While all these words mean "showing restraint in speaking," reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

When could reticent be used to replace reserved?

While the synonyms reticent and reserved are close in meaning, reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

When would secretive be a good substitute for reserved?

In some situations, the words secretive and reserved are roughly equivalent. However, secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.

the secretive research and development division

When is it sensible to use silent instead of reserved?

The meanings of silent and reserved largely overlap; however, silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

Where would taciturn be a reasonable alternative to reserved?

While in some cases nearly identical to reserved, taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of reserved

Adjective

The reserved topping packet adds a slightly crisp, cinnamon-sugar crust. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 15 July 2026 These tools include a new reserved cart which only holds items for checkout for a limited time before releasing them back into the storefront. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 14 July 2026

Verb

There are also various livery options, plus a vivid new Tangelo Orange color scheme reserved solely for the 420 Sport. — Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 July 2026 Judgment will be reserved on both trades until those outcomes are determined, but either turning into a high pick would represent a major egg-on-your-face moment and likely spell the end of Drury’s tenure. — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for reserved

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reserved

Adjective

The oversized teeth of the character were originally to be used only during silent scenes, but Carrey learned to talk with them on to make his character even more cartoon-like.

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
School is meant to prepare students for the real world, but too many institutions are training kids to be silent.

— Annabelle Garland, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026

Definition of silent

Verb

Though the market size was just $5 billion in 2025, according to Analysys Mason, fewer companies operating in this space are leading to launch schedules being booked for a year or two ahead.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 23 July 2026
Ticket revenue is driven by season ticket revenue, which gets booked whether fans attend games or not.

— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of booked

Verb

Musk retained more than 80% of the company’s voting power after the offering.

— Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
The county retained Kelly & Grossman LLP — working alongside McIntyre Schnieders and Justice Law Collaborative LLC — to litigate the case on a contingency-fee basis.

— Reeti Malhotra July 23, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of retained

Verb

These stores have dedicated party and event spaces with a balloon bar, custom framing station and new fabric and sewing corners.

— Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
Cummings says religious sisters have dedicated their lives to serving vulnerable people as everything from battlefield nurses to inner-city educators.

— Adora Namigadde, NPR, 23 July 2026

Definition of dedicated

Adjective

Where Heron feels restrained and almost surgical, Hornbill is shaped for users who want more contact with the handle, more leverage through the cut, and a stronger physical presence without moving into oversized tactical-knife territory.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 July 2026
Drewchin operates in this more restrained mode throughout the record, peeling back the layers of her dizzying art pop.

— Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026

Definition of restrained

Verb

Long before Bad Bunny became one of the most popular artists in the world, Beltrán devoted his work off the field to helping Puerto Rican youths and promoting his island.

— Jose de Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
For the past five years, Sapan has devoted much of his time to championing disability on screen through founding Marvels of Media Festival with the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI), which celebrates the work of autistic media makers.

— Brent Lang, Variety, 25 July 2026

Definition of devoted

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reserve

reserved

reservedness

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“Reserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reserved. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of reserved

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verb

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