1
as in deposits
a collection of things kept available for future use or need
our fuel reserves are low
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dedicates
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
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 reserves
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
2 July 2026
BlackRock aims to manage the coin's vast reserves, while merchants like Shopify seek lower transaction costs and yield.
—
Zennon Kapron,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
The league’s head coaches will select the 12 reserves for the team.
—
Mercury News,
2 July 2026
With the 10 starters announced, the 12 reserves will be announced at a later date.
—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
That would leave Florida choosing among Cole Reinhardt, Jonah Gadjovich, Vilmanis and Schwindt for the final spot in the lineup and up to two reserves/bench spots.
—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
But China’s ability to diversify its energy supply and tap into emergency reserves has given it strategic advantages in an otherwise widely disruptive crisis, The Asia Group said.
—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
1 July 2026
The Republican National Committee has more than $125 million in its reserves, according to the most recent campaign disclosures.
—
Will Lennon,
ABC News,
1 July 2026
The deficit spending will be made up by district reserves, which may or may not be exhausted at some point within the next three years.
—
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Jennifer Hassan,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
The Catholic Church reserves the priesthood for men, and women have long complained of a second-class status despite carrying out the lion’s share of the church’s work running schools, hospitals and passing the faith onto younger generations.
—
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value.
—
AJC.com,
30 June 2026
Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify a potential winner based on the results of such background check if Sponsor determines in its sole discretion that selecting such potential finalist might reflect negatively on the Sponsor.
—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
Trump had added his own name to the facade in December, over loud protests and in spite of lawsuits filed to stop him, and in spite of the law, which reserves such powers for Congress.
—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
16 June 2026
An unusual sight for someone who generally reserves outward emotion only for special moments.
—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
But the biopic reserves its most pivotal role for Michael's former entertainment lawyer, John Branca, who also happens to be the co-executor of Jackson's estate and a co-producer of the film.
—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
3 June 2026
In fairness to Trump, every president reserves some ambassadorships for donors and pals; some of them end up doing fine work, and others should never have been allowed to represent the United States overseas.
—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
26 May 2026
Noun
Russia’s fiscal reserves are dwindling, and oil and gas revenues have cratered as many countries rerouted to alternative suppliers.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
2 July 2026
BlackRock aims to manage the coin's vast reserves, while merchants like Shopify seek lower transaction costs and yield.
—
Zennon Kapron,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
The league’s head coaches will select the 12 reserves for the team.
—
Mercury News,
2 July 2026
With the 10 starters announced, the 12 reserves will be announced at a later date.
—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
That would leave Florida choosing among Cole Reinhardt, Jonah Gadjovich, Vilmanis and Schwindt for the final spot in the lineup and up to two reserves/bench spots.
—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
But China’s ability to diversify its energy supply and tap into emergency reserves has given it strategic advantages in an otherwise widely disruptive crisis, The Asia Group said.
—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
1 July 2026
The Republican National Committee has more than $125 million in its reserves, according to the most recent campaign disclosures.
—
Will Lennon,
ABC News,
1 July 2026
The deficit spending will be made up by district reserves, which may or may not be exhausted at some point within the next three years.
—
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Verb
Wimbledon reserves a handful of tickets for same-day purchase, with some fans camping out the night before in Wimbledon Park in a bid to get their hands on a pass.
—
Jennifer Hassan,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
The Catholic Church reserves the priesthood for men, and women have long complained of a second-class status despite carrying out the lion’s share of the church’s work running schools, hospitals and passing the faith onto younger generations.
—
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value.
—
AJC.com,
30 June 2026
Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify a potential winner based on the results of such background check if Sponsor determines in its sole discretion that selecting such potential finalist might reflect negatively on the Sponsor.
—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
Trump had added his own name to the facade in December, over loud protests and in spite of lawsuits filed to stop him, and in spite of the law, which reserves such powers for Congress.
—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
16 June 2026
An unusual sight for someone who generally reserves outward emotion only for special moments.
—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
But the biopic reserves its most pivotal role for Michael's former entertainment lawyer, John Branca, who also happens to be the co-executor of Jackson's estate and a co-producer of the film.
—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
3 June 2026
In fairness to Trump, every president reserves some ambassadorships for donors and pals; some of them end up doing fine work, and others should never have been allowed to represent the United States overseas.
—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reserves
Noun
-
Democrats have also increased taxes on businesses, paid for programs out of other funds and suspended reserve deposits among other solutions.
-
Expanding that relationship across lending, deposits and financial wellness is the difference between being a consumer's bank and being their financial home.
Noun
-
On matchdays, the first sittings begin around five hours before kick-off, with the last one taking place around three hours before, usually taken by the substitutes who prefer to eat later.
-
Senegal led the way with four goals from substitutes while Switzerland, Germany and Canada each had three goals off the bench.
Noun
-
Previously, another wrist joint was replaced and both of the arm's end effectors were swapped out for spares.
-
This doesn't see three Li-ion battery packs all connected at once for long-range riding, but rather provides a downtube pack plus two spares in a cage hanging from the rear rack.
Verb
-
With SummerSlam looming, how WWE books the finish will shape both challengers' momentum heading into August.
-
Katie Wright, who books sports events for Anaheim’s tourism bureau, said there would be a market if her city built a sports park.
Verb
-
Centralized high-scale manufacturing retains advantages for standardized products with stable demand, long runs and low sensitivity to distance.
-
As a result, your body retains more heat, increasing the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Verb
-
The new Prime Video series dedicates an episode to James Van Der Beek.
-
Under Proposition 98, approved by voters in 1988, California has a minimum funding guarantee for schools and community colleges and dedicates roughly 40% of general fund revenue to education.
Noun
-
The shipment includes emergency health kits for urgent medical care, including supplies for safe births, newborn care, disease prevention and treatment, according to the United Nations.
-
At donation centers across Miami-Dade County, members of the Venezuelan community are collecting supplies for victims while anxiously waiting for news from home.
Noun
-
In cases of cobalt toxicity linked to hip replacements, the symptoms usually develop over many months, not weeks, as in the woman’s case.
-
Ukraine's attacks damaged specialized equipment that is often sourced abroad, making repairs time-consuming and expensive as workarounds or replacements are sought by evading sanctions.
Cite this Entry
“Reserves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reserves. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
