Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

appreciate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of appreciate

1 to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number

  • the value of that antique should appreciate over time
Synonyms of appreciate

accelerate, accumulate, balloon, boom, build up, burgeon (also bourgeon), climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, increase, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax
Words Related to appreciate

jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge

heighten, intensify, redouble

blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up)

crescendo, crest, peak
Antonyms of appreciate

contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

2 to hold dear

  • I appreciate my parents more than I can express
Synonyms of appreciate

cherish, love, prize, treasure, value
Words Related to appreciate

delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), like, relish, revel (in)

admire, apprize, esteem, regard, respect, revere, reverence, venerate

enshrine, memorialize

adore, caress, dote (on), idolize, worship
Phrases Synonymous with appreciate

set store by (or set store on)
Near Antonyms of appreciate

undervalue

abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe

disdain, high-hat, scorn, scout, slight, sniff (at), snub

bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, decry, deprecate, depreciate, disparage, kiss off, minimize, put down, write off

abandon, forget, neglect
Antonyms of appreciate

disvalue

3 to have a clear idea of

  • I hope you appreciate just how much that collector's CD costs
Synonyms of appreciate

apprehend, assimilate, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize, compass, comprehend, conceive, cotton (to or on to), decipher, decode, dig, discern, get, grasp, grok, intuit, know, make, make out, perceive, recognize, register, savvy, see, seize, sense, tumble (to), twig, understand
Words Related to appreciate

absorb, digest, take in

realize

fathom, penetrate, pierce
Phrases Synonymous with appreciate

pick up on
Near Antonyms of appreciate

misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, mistake, misunderstand
Antonyms of appreciate

miss

4 to think very highly or favorably of

  • many great artists and musicians have not been appreciated in their own lifetimes
Synonyms of appreciate

admire, consider, esteem, regard, respect
Words Related to appreciate

acclaim, accredit, applaud, approve, commend, compliment, credit, praise

delight (in), drink (in), enjoy, relish, revel (in), savor (also savour)

dig, fancy, favor, groove (on), like, love

adore, adulate, canonize, deify, dote (on), hallow, idolize, revere, reverence, venerate, worship

cherish, love, prize, treasure, value
Phrases Synonymous with appreciate

set store by (or on)
Near Antonyms of appreciate

abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe

condemn, decry, deplore, disapprove, discount, discountenance, disdain, disfavor, dislike, dismiss, disregard, frown (on or upon), kiss off, scorn, vilify

Synonym Discussion of appreciate

appreciate, value, prize, treasure, cherish mean to hold in high estimation. appreciate often connotes sufficient understanding to enjoy or admire a thing's excellence.
    • appreciates fine wine
value implies rating a thing highly for its intrinsic worth.
    • values our friendship
prize implies taking a deep pride in something one possesses.
    • Americans prize their freedom
treasure emphasizes jealously safeguarding something considered precious.
    • a treasured memento
cherish implies a special love and care for something.
    • cherishes her children above all

synonyms see in addition understand

Learn More about appreciate

  1. See words that rhyme with appreciate Dictionary: Definition of appreciate Spanish Central: Translation of appreciate Nglish: Translation of appreciate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of appreciate for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up appreciate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

epitome

a typical or ideal example

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. nebulous Lip reading, Brexit, and semantic uncertainty

  2. synergy Mueller files Cohen details.

  3. slumgullion From the broadcast of 'It Happened on Fifth Avenue'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games