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

Relevance

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 Per Goldeneye Media, the Walkers are parting with the South Pacific island retreat due to their ongoing divorce but will always cherish memories from camping on the beach to swimming with sea turtles. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 July 2026 In part organically, in part because of the vital early efforts of KU faculty members Amal El Haimaur and Aya Fayed, as chronicled by KCUR — and with the support of the Islamic Center of Lawrence — those dynamics became something to be cherished. — Vahe Gregorian july 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026 America’s bounty of wilderness is mostly the result of shrewd policy decisions that preserved these lands for all of us to cherish today. — Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 3 July 2026 Attendees walk away each year with car stereos, rear-view mirrors, and side doors to cherish the unforgettable day. — Carmela Asmar, USA Today, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cherish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cherish

Verb

Friends and family remember him for his profound impact on countless lives, emphasizing his ability to make people feel seen, important, and loved, rather than solely his athletic achievements.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Costco food court menu changes tend to get a lot of attention, especially when the wholesale retailer removes an item that people love or releases a variation on an old favorite.

— Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of love

Verb

The Guardians treasure pitchers with elite extension, and Yoho fits that description, as his 94 mph heater can sneak up on hitters.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Some enthusiasts will always treasure the sound and mechanical involvement of a gasoline engine, while others will welcome the instant, gutsier response and refinement of electric propulsion.

— Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of treasure

Verb

Goff noted that Kansas had a large pool of candidates for the position, including several individuals from pro sports franchises.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
While past British leaders have spent weekends in their local constituencies, or at the prime minister’s official Chequers country retreat, none in living memory has had a large-scale office outside London.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of have

Verb

On the 1994 comeback album Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins, Sparks imagined Liberace, who died in 1987, making his own comeback in the afterlife, adored again as a phantom haunting the Earth.

— Al Shipley, SPIN, 31 July 2026
During his rally in Milford, northwest of Detroit, the crowd was adoring.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026

Definition of adore

Verb

Morgan silenced the critics and played into her heel persona—one that wants to hold the title for 1,000 days—with a strong victory over Iyo Sky.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
The shooter is among the dead, Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks told reporters at a news conference held Saturday night.

— Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of hold

Verb

The plan to consolidate FIFA’s commercial and event operations into a new commercial subsidiary valued at $20 billion is off the table, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 1 Aug. 2026
Stanek has spent enough time around the league to understand why contenders value experienced bullpen arms on short-term contracts and the Cardinals might have originally picked him up with the hopes of moving him at this point.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of value

Verb

Some members and associates of the Seidler family are expected to retain at least a portion of their stakes in the Padres.

— Dennis Lin, New York Times, 22 July 2026
The extradition process requires a hearing before a US judge to determine whether the treaty’s requirements are met, but the final decision is made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who retains discretion to deny extradition.

— Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of retain

Browse Nearby Words

chemists

cherish

cherished

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cherish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cherish. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cherish

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on cherish

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

élan

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes