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 Those moments with their firstborn will be forever cherished. — Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 The Michigan recruit also makes the trek every day from Evanston knowing that while Ann Arbor holds his future, the final year of being a star high school athlete is something to cherish and relish. — Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026 Tallulah has previously opened up about cherishing and documenting her time with her father. — ABC News, 29 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 See All Example Sentences for cherish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cherish

Verb

The judges love this all-over-the-place contemporary, but Julia looks a little lost throughout.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
By this time, the interview has devolved into fun-loving chaos.

— Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of love

Verb

The repairer reads these messages, communicates with customers directly, and sometimes learns the story behind a pair of jeans that has been treasured for decades.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Canes fans need not be reminded, but treasure every moment watching Toney.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of treasure

Verb

Moments later, an unbothered Brown flung himself around the stadium, catering directly to his adoring, unwavering fans.

— Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 25 Oct. 2026
On the sweet side, several of our editors adore Coop’s dessert sauces, which far exceed the usual grocery store stuff.

— Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of adore

Verb

Even someone actively avoiding the trend cycle can appreciate a new way to wear their sweater vest and white button-down shirt.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026
Some participants appreciate the light-hearted and good-natured humor, expressing gratitude and finding it timely and amusing.

— Edith Pritchett, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of appreciate

Verb

Until now, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has insisted the men were still alive and being held by gangs.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
The Boise State defense also produced a turnover-on-downs in the final minutes, batting away several shots at the end zone to hold the Cougars to 10 points.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of hold

Verb

Engineering better working dogs Warhound plans to start with two breeds already valued for military and police work.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Romo carved out new terrain at CBS Sports after revealing a knack for predicting game play — all but forcing CBS to re-sign the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback to a multi-season pact in 2020 valued at around $17 million a year.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of value

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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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cherish

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