Synonyms for reserve

noun

1. A portion kept against emergencies

   savings, insurance, resources, reserved funds, store, stock, provisions, assets, supply, hoard, backlog, nest egg, cache, stockpile, something for a rainy day*.

2. Calmness

   reticence, restraint, constraint, backwardness, modesty, unresponsiveness, uncommunicativeness, caution, inhibition, coyness, demureness, aloofness, formality, remoteness, guardedness.

3. A reserve player

   substitute, second-string player, alternate, sub*, second-stringer*, bench polisher*, scrub*.

4. Unexpected fund

   sinking fund, funded reserve, government securities, negotiable bonds, floating assets; see also resources, wealth 1.

5. Land set apart for a special purpose

   preserve, reservation, sanctuary; see park 1, refuge 1.

in reserve

verb

1. To save

   store up, set aside, put away; see maintain 3, save 3, store.

2. To retain

   keep, possess, have; see hold 1, own 1.

3. To engage ahead of time

   book, bespeak, arrange for; see hire 1, maintain 3.