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as in gem
someone or something unusually desirable in thanking them for their contributions, the mayor referred to the volunteers at the homeless shelter as the city's greatest treasures

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

treasure

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of treasure are appreciate, cherish, prize, and value. While all these words mean "to hold in high estimation," treasure emphasizes jealously safeguarding something considered precious.

a treasured memento

When is appreciate a more appropriate choice than treasure?

The words appreciate and treasure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appreciate often connotes sufficient understanding to enjoy or admire a thing's excellence.

appreciates fine wine

In what contexts can cherish take the place of treasure?

The words cherish and treasure can be used in similar contexts, but cherish implies a special love and care for something.

cherishes her children above all

When is it sensible to use prize instead of treasure?

The meanings of prize and treasure largely overlap; however, prize implies taking a deep pride in something one possesses.

Americans prize their freedom

When could value be used to replace treasure?

While in some cases nearly identical to treasure, 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 treasure
Noun
The ship carried various treasures, and its cargo included a large quantity of marble and bronze. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025 Its new initiative, Across the Nation, sends some of its treasures to ten museums, from Anchorage, Alaska, to Charlotte, N.C., as part of its 2026 United States Semiquincentennial celebration. Christian Schneider, National Review, 12 June 2025
Verb
The palpable joy of the festival weekend feeds the soul as well as the mind and Calabash will continue to be treasured for providing that space. Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 For Lau, who aspires to play softball in college and study business or law, her family history is something to be treasured. Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for treasure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for treasure
Noun
  • Perhaps this is because the power couple are the current owners of Casa Rosa, a jewel of contemporary architecture designed by Andrés Casillas de Alba in 1978.
    Katia Contreras, Architectural Digest, 19 June 2025
  • Grey Sweater Grey Sweater is the crown jewel of OKC’s fine dining scene, tucked in the Deep Deuce district.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Other gems were gleaned from his years as a country boy in the Harlem of the nineteen-forties and fifties.
    Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
  • Crystal River Gentle manatees and some of the best paddling in the state—in and around the state’s clearest springs—make Crystal River a true gem on Florida’s Nature Coast.
    Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • Someone who has overseen a multi-club model (MCM) elsewhere would also be valued.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • However, flexibility and favorable working arrangements are also highly valued, with 49% saying these factors are important when considering a job offer.
    Brit Morse, Fortune, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • At Lakeside, the strength staff stored the school’s prowler sleds in a storage room inside the gymnasium.
    Doug Haller, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • The graph below is a combination of data from May and June in 2025 from the research center and archived values stored by the St. Louis Fed.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • After beginning her career in the Netherlands, Van de Donk joined Arsenal in 2015 and had six successful years in north London, winning three trophies including the WSL title in 2018.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • On June 20, actor Nigel Havers, who starred in the 1980s movie Chariots of Fire, was set to present the trophy for the Commonwealth Cup, while former tennis star Annabel Croft is scheduled to hand out the trophy for the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes.
    Simon Perry, People.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • One of those is the fact that Inter Miami were invited to participate as a host representative despite the fact that the team didn’t win the MLS last season and hasn’t won any continental prize.
    Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
  • The Square, from South Korean director Bo-Sol Kim, which blends political commentary with experimental animation in its story of a Swedish diplomat in Pyongyang who begins a clandestine affair with a local traffic officer, took the jury prize of the Contrechamps section.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • Travis Sanheim and Travis Konecny are two players who any team would love to have.
    Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • Patriots may also love this Declaration T-shirt, which serves as a reminder that freedom is declared, defended and lived everyday.
    Caitlyn Martyn may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • The internal shelf is perfect for stashing everyday essentials while a few external shelves give you the option to display a few decorative items according to your style.
    Belle DuChene, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2025
  • Some viewers took to Reddit to question if the murder knife is stashed behind the wallpaper in his room.
    Peter White, Deadline, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Treasure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/treasure. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

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