CHERISH Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'cherish' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of cherish are appreciate , prize , treasure , and value . While all these words mean "to hold in high estimation," cherish implies a special love and care for something. // cherishes her children above all

Q: When can 'appreciate' be used instead of 'cherish'?

In some situations, the words appreciate and cherish are roughly equivalent. However, appreciate often connotes sufficient understanding to enjoy or admire a thing's excellence. // appreciates fine wine

Q: When would 'prize' be a good substitute for 'cherish'?

The synonyms prize and cherish are sometimes interchangeable, but prize implies taking a deep pride in something one possesses. // Americans prize their freedom

Q: Where would 'treasure' be a reasonable alternative to 'cherish'?

Although the words treasure and cherish have much in common, treasure emphasizes jealously safeguarding something considered precious. // a treasured memento

Q: When could 'value' be used to replace 'cherish'?

The meanings of value and cherish largely overlap; however, value implies rating a thing highly for its intrinsic worth. // values our friendship

cherish

verb

ˈcher-ish

Definition of cherish

as in to love

to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for promised to love and cherish her husband forever

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to treasure

to hold dear we shall always cherish the keepsakes that our grandmother left us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to have

to keep in one's mind or heart after all these years, she still cherishes the memory of her first summer romance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cherish different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of cherish are appreciate, prize, treasure, and value. While all these words mean "to hold in high estimation," cherish implies a special love and care for something.

cherishes her children above all

When can appreciate be used instead of cherish?

In some situations, the words appreciate and cherish are roughly equivalent. However, appreciate often connotes sufficient understanding to enjoy or admire a thing's excellence.

appreciates fine wine

When would prize be a good substitute for cherish?

The synonyms prize and cherish are sometimes interchangeable, but prize implies taking a deep pride in something one possesses.

Americans prize their freedom

Where would treasure be a reasonable alternative to cherish?

Although the words treasure and cherish have much in common, treasure emphasizes jealously safeguarding something considered precious.

a treasured memento

When could value be used to replace cherish?

The meanings of value and cherish largely overlap; however, value implies rating a thing highly for its intrinsic worth.

values our friendship

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 cherish The view looking out at the Pacific Ocean while sitting in a chair or hanging on the railing at the Mountain is something to cherish. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026 Through creativity, passion, and craftsmanship, that dream becomes something tangible, something that can be worn, cherished, and passed on through generations. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026 The amount of visitors that crowded the hospital lobby at a moment’s notice is a testament to how beloved and cherished Chad was, and always will be. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2026 For two people whose careers unfold on enormous stages, time away from the spotlight is to be cherished. — Chiara Barzini, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cherish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cherish

Verb

Soon, after Wade, who loves to self-medicate his ADHD with alcohol and mushrooms, is involved in a horrific accident, and Snook’s Cove residents begin acting oddly, Calvin and Fonda realize something is amiss in the water.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Headphones can be a pricey necessity for music lovers, students and anyone else who loves a great listening experience, but Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event offers plenty of chances to save.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of love

Verb

Canes fans need not be reminded, but treasure every moment watching Toney.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
After a brief stint in the transfer portal in January, the former Hawklet stayed in Ann Arbor where his length (6-7, 310) and power in the run game are treasured.

— PJ Green September 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of treasure

Verb

The Israeli authorities have questions to answer, said The Jerusalem Post.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 10 Oct. 2026
New York City has policies that limit local law enforcement from sharing certain information with federal officers or honoring detainer requests unless immigrants have been convicted of violent crimes.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of have

Verb

Back on property, the outdoor pool sits peacefully at the edge of the vineyard next to two large oaks (one of which has a storybook-like swing hanging from it, which the youngest guests adored).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
These cheery yellow flowers produce a thin, needlelike seed that is rich with oil and dense with nutrients that towhees, nuthatches, cardinals and even robins adore into January.

— Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of adore

Verb

While allowing red fuel isn't going to solve all problems, as mentioned here previously, the temporary diesel policy is appreciated by diesel users.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
History and architecture lovers will appreciate that the wood trim and carved detailing remain untouched.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of appreciate

Verb

The Florida National Guard, the State Emergency Operations Center, State Guard and AT&T Disaster Services are holding aircraft and equipment there, the airport said.

— Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
The center held its first rage retreat in May with 16 participants, Lev said, and another is planned for late October.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of hold

Verb

The merger, unveiled in February and valued at $110 billion, called for Paramount to acquire all of WBD’s outstanding shares at $31.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Rebel Audio is targeting a $10 million close, which would value the podcasting company at about $50 million post-money.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of value

Verb

No one was about to help Stephanie Vaquer retain the Women’s World Championship and no one was going to help Becky Lynch or Liv Morgan put gold back around their waists.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
But Lai ⁠urged democracies in the Indo-Pacific region to join forces to retain the status quo of peace and stability in the region.

— Reuters, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of retain

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chemists

cherish

cherished

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“Cherish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cherish. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cherish

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