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

Step 6 Stir in reserved tomato juices and add a pinch of salt and 3 basil sprigs. — Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026 In a small saucepan combine reserved syrup, balsamic vinegar, cinnamon stick, and cloves. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2026

Verb

Compassion isn't the soft alternative to performance, and connection isn't a luxury reserved for people with time to spare. — Jan Gerber, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 To qualify for the fund, the housing must be reserved for residents who earn 80% area median income annually or less. — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reserved

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reserved

Adjective

Journal, rest, take a silent walk, or name the thought that keeps circling.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
As Variety has noted in an extensive drill-down on the city’s film scene, Recife boasted a vibrant silent cinema movement in the 1920s.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of silent

Verb

Rivera was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of murder, while Beltran-Gaitan was booked on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact.

— Tim Fang, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Swanson was booked into the Orient Road Jail and charged with driving without a valid driver's license and providing a false name to a law enforcement officer.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of booked

Verb

Once a private mansion belonging to art collectors Édouard André and his wife Nélie Jacquemart, the museum dates from the late 19th century, and its café has retained much of the original residence’s grandeur.

— Amy Bradford, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2026
For complicated legal reasons, Sony has retained distribution rights to Spider-Man even though the film franchise is produced by Disney’s Marvel Studios.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of retained

Verb

Bringing home a massive 75-inch Sony Bravia display panel with Sony Pictures Core high-bitrate streaming credits and dedicated PS5 gaming auto-calibration for under $900 is an extraordinary value.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026
Even The New York Times has dedicated dozens of headlines to this year’s reality TV tumults.

— Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of dedicated

Adjective

Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve give superbly restrained performances as a married couple who have immigrated from Romania to a small seaside town in Norway with their four children.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
The Sydney penthouse, measuring in at just under 9,700 square feet, takes a restrained approach while still feeling sumptuous, thanks to interiors that pair custom pieces with luxe materials.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of restrained

Verb

Rather than scrutinize both actions, prominent voices within WNBA media devoted their energy to explaining her conduct.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
With the accompanying string of tropical nights, state media has devoted unusual attention to the hottest weeks of the year, known locally as sambok, or the dog days of summer.

— Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of devoted

Adjective

Perhaps in writing it, Salinger was trying to negotiate whether his remarkable survival through some of the war’s worst gauntlets could be chalked up to dumb luck, or divine intervention.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Approaching the plant, there are no telltale dumb-bell silhouettes on the horizon signaling its presence.

— Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of dumb

Browse Nearby Words

reserve

reserved

reservedness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Reserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reserved. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of reserved

adjective

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on reserved

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

salvo

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

'Gaslighting,' 'Woke,' 'Democracy,' and Other Top Lookups

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes