vt. 保护 keep safe from harm or danger
vt. 维持 keep from loss; retain qualities, etc.
同义词
n. conserve，conserves，preserves
v. conserve，continue，keep，save
反义词
v. cease，discontinue，give up，lay off
词汇辨析
keep，retain，reserve，preserve，conserve，withhold
这些动词均有 保持，保存 之意。
keep 最常用词，指长时间牢固地保持或保存。
retain 指继续保持。
reserve 正式用词，指为了将来的用途或其他用途而保存、保留。
preserve 主要指为防止损害、变质等而保存。
conserve 一般指保存自然资源，保全人的精力、力量等。
withhold 指扣住不放，暗示有阻碍。
参考例句
1. Wax polish preserves wood and leather.
上光蜡可以保护木材和皮革。
2. What we need is more effective laws to preserve the environment.
我们需要的是更为有效的法律措施来保护环境。
3. The society was set up to preserve endangered species form extinction.
成立这个协会是为了保护濒危物种不致灭绝。
词汇辨析
1.V-T If you preserve a situation or condition, you make sure that it remains as it is, and does not change or end. 维护
例：We will do everything to preserve peace.
我们将竭尽全力维护和平。
2.preservation N-UNCOUNT 维护
例：...the preservation of the status quo.
现状的维护。
3.V-T If you preserve something, you take action to save it or protect it from damage or decay. 保护
例：We need to preserve the forest.
我们需要保护森林。
4.preservation N-UNCOUNT 保护
例：...the preservation of buildings of architectural or historic interest.
对具有建筑学或历史意义的建筑物的保护。
5.V-T If you preserve food, you treat it in order to prevent it from decaying so that you can store it for a long time. 保藏
例：I like to make puree, using only enough sugar to preserve the plums.
我喜欢做果酱，只用足够的糖来保藏李子。
6.N-PLURAL Preserves are foods made by cooking fruit with a large amount of sugar so that they can be stored for a long time. 果酱
例：She decided to make peach preserves for Christmas gifts.
她决定做桃子果酱作圣诞礼物。
7.N-COUNT If you say that a job or activity is the preserve of a particular person or group of people, you mean that they are the only ones who take part in it. 独揽之事; 独占的活动
例：The making and conduct of foreign policy is largely the preserve of the president.
外交政策的制定和实施很大程度上是总统的独揽之事。
常见用法
用作动词
It is highly important to preserve the environment.
保护自然环境至关重要。
Its the duty of the police to preserve the public order.
维护公共秩序是警察的职责。
You should preserve your papers for future use.
你应当把你的文件保存起来以备将来之用。
I tried to preserve my independence.
我试图保持自己的独立性。
用作名词
No hunting is allowed in the preserve .
在禁猎区内不许打猎。
Mother made some preserves.
母亲做了一些蜜饯。