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
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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
The reserving-a-sun-lounger wars have reached a new level.
—
Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
Scrape the yogurt into a large bowl, reserving the empty container.
—Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 9 May 2026
Those who already nabbed a controller during the initial launch are barred from reserving another unit, for now.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 7 May 2026
Relying on satellite links to transmit data between the nodes and customers means dealing with limited bandwidth and signal delays—there is a reason data centers still use fiber-optic cables to transmit large amounts of data quickly while reserving satellite links as backups.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 5 May 2026
Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer peas to a grill basket, reserving marinade.
—Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2026
Starting with the 2027 ceremony, Oscar’s 99th, the Academy is reserving the right to inquire about the extent to which AI was used in a movie, as well as how it was used.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
Regarding the Bears tax, Miller is reserving judgment without further information, but says Porter County would need to stand to gain.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The gunman entered the hotel by simply reserving a room there, and gained easy access through one layer of defenses but not beyond that.
—Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
Scrape the yogurt into a large bowl, reserving the empty container.
—Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 9 May 2026
Those who already nabbed a controller during the initial launch are barred from reserving another unit, for now.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 7 May 2026
Relying on satellite links to transmit data between the nodes and customers means dealing with limited bandwidth and signal delays—there is a reason data centers still use fiber-optic cables to transmit large amounts of data quickly while reserving satellite links as backups.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 5 May 2026
Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer peas to a grill basket, reserving marinade.
—Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2026
Starting with the 2027 ceremony, Oscar’s 99th, the Academy is reserving the right to inquire about the extent to which AI was used in a movie, as well as how it was used.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
Regarding the Bears tax, Miller is reserving judgment without further information, but says Porter County would need to stand to gain.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The gunman entered the hotel by simply reserving a room there, and gained easy access through one layer of defenses but not beyond that.
—Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reserving
Verb
-
There’s no real argument for booking her in another competitive matchup after a 17-second loss.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
The concierge is great for booking activities on- and off-property, as well as dinner reservations across the island.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Decisions must be made about retaining potential UFA blueliners Trouba, Gudas and John Carlson.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
This strategy allows investors to collect premium income while retaining a window for capital appreciation, a necessary feature when a stock exhibits the fundamental and technical strength currently seen in XOM.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Jarvis worked hard to create Mother’s Day, writing letters to churches, politicians, and city leaders, and eventually, a resolution was passed in Congress, dedicating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
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Highland Park's decades-long DART membership Highland Park had also been part of DART since 1983, dedicating one cent of its local sales tax, the maximum allowed under state law for transit, to the agency.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
But in hiring the three-time Stanley Cup winner, the Ducks earned credibility in terms of coaching acumen and became an attraction for players.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Notably absent from the SEC’s motion to freeze Kapoor’s assets and its civil complaint was any mention of his hiring Suarez as a consultant for URBIN while the Location Ventures affiliate was seeking approval from City Hall for a residential and retail project at Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Though the couple hasn't commented publicly on their relationship, and Foxx has been candid about keeping his relationships out of the spotlight in the past, Huckstepp has supported Foxx at a number of events.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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The nonprofit’s statement did not reference the permitting process, but highlighted the importance of keeping the event running for the LGBTQ+ community.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
Verb
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In his junior year, Jeffries, who majored in political science, began devoting the bulk of his extracurricular energies to the university’s Black Student Union.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Annie’s mother moved the agency out in 2013 and Annie took the front room as her own bedroom and living room, devoting the rest of the apartment to the growing dog-training business.—
Anne Kadet,
Curbed,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Cross your legs while standing up and holding your arms out to the side, lower yourself to sit criss-cross on the floor by bending your knees, and stand back up—without using your hands, knees, or any furniture, or losing your balance.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
15 May 2026
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During Friday's Morning Meeting , Jim disagreed with investors piling into enterprise software stocks with no meaningful catalysts right now, including companies like Workday , ServiceNow , and Club holding Salesforce , following Ackman's disclosure.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
But state lawmakers can finally pass this legislation, and start saving families tax dollars while protecting our health and our environment.—
Justin Sanchez,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
The actually unspeakable bit is whether women’s access to education and the job market should be restricted, in the name of producing more babies and saving civilization.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reserving. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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