as in loved
granted special treatment or attention
a cherished heirloom that has been in the family for generations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in adored
to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for
promised to love and cherish her husband forever
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in valued
to hold dear
we shall always cherish the keepsakes that our grandmother left us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in had
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
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 cherished
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
The students – three young men and two young women – were arrested, and their fate was widely discussed by a grieving community preparing for the cherished teacher’s Saturday funeral.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Whisper of the Heart, directed by the late Yoshifumi Kondo and based on Aoi Hiiragi’s manga with a screenplay and storyboards by Miyazaki, remains one of the studio’s most cherished coming-of-age stories.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
History buffs can come learn more about the most cherished collections on display, such as glowing minerals.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2026
The Padres have become an institution, playing in one of the more cherished buildings in sports.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
The ritual is becoming a cherished memory in its own right.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Feb. 2026
After all, one of the persistent impulses of modern art has been to antagonize people of correct sensibilities, to subvert their cherished institutions.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
One of the most cherished road rides is the eight-mile Cactus Forest Drive, a paved loop road in the Rincon Mountain District.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 23 Feb. 2026
Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Animals deserve to be protected and cherished, never abused or neglected.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
In Hollywood, longevity is a function of other peoples’ willingness to put up with having to look at your mug every day, and the faces that are cherished most tend to be drawn in pen and ink.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Many of Nora’s weepies were festivals of suffering, cherished by millions.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Given his ties to the region, Every cherished the annual PGA Tour stop in Orlando.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Well cherished for decades, the 2,313-square-foot haven has a breezy flow for everyday living or frequent hosting, plus a blissful backyard.
—Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Once that partnership became physical, the actors’ chemistry became something fans cherished.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
This northern Japanese delicacy is cherished for its meltingly sweet flesh, which takes on a light pink color because of the species' shrimp-heavy diet.
—Alex Halberstadt, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The Big Ten would retain its cherished TV content but avoid the near-empty pro stadiums for three days.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
The students – three young men and two young women – were arrested, and their fate was widely discussed by a grieving community preparing for the cherished teacher’s Saturday funeral.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Whisper of the Heart, directed by the late Yoshifumi Kondo and based on Aoi Hiiragi’s manga with a screenplay and storyboards by Miyazaki, remains one of the studio’s most cherished coming-of-age stories.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
History buffs can come learn more about the most cherished collections on display, such as glowing minerals.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2026
The Padres have become an institution, playing in one of the more cherished buildings in sports.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
The ritual is becoming a cherished memory in its own right.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Feb. 2026
After all, one of the persistent impulses of modern art has been to antagonize people of correct sensibilities, to subvert their cherished institutions.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
One of the most cherished road rides is the eight-mile Cactus Forest Drive, a paved loop road in the Rincon Mountain District.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
Explore the recipes, ranging from BA classics to cherished family heirlooms, below.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Animals deserve to be protected and cherished, never abused or neglected.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
In Hollywood, longevity is a function of other peoples’ willingness to put up with having to look at your mug every day, and the faces that are cherished most tend to be drawn in pen and ink.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Many of Nora’s weepies were festivals of suffering, cherished by millions.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Given his ties to the region, Every cherished the annual PGA Tour stop in Orlando.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Well cherished for decades, the 2,313-square-foot haven has a breezy flow for everyday living or frequent hosting, plus a blissful backyard.
—Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Once that partnership became physical, the actors’ chemistry became something fans cherished.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
This northern Japanese delicacy is cherished for its meltingly sweet flesh, which takes on a light pink color because of the species' shrimp-heavy diet.
—Alex Halberstadt, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cherished
Adjective
-
But for the loved ones of the three still missing, an agonizing wait continues.—
Kocha Olarn,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
-
At that same company, a hospice social worker wrote about a family's grief when their loved one passed, but there was no evidence the patient was actually dead.—
Adam Yamaguchi,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Additional fun kid-friendly options include a ramen-making class at nearby Musoshin and traditional kimono dressing and hair styling, which my dress-up loving daughter adored, paired with a lively rickshaw ride.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Cilantro, a polarizing herb that’s either adored in Mexican, Southeast Asian, and Indian cuisines, or repulsed by those who detect a nauseating soapy taste.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In an email to CNN –– which did not reveal his identity –– Jerkface said anonymity had long been valued in the arts.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
22 Mar. 2026
-
When effort and development are valued, athletes are more likely to stay engaged and confident.—
Emily Peterson,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When the first reconciliation bill passed, Republicans had a three-seat majority.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Charlotte had 22 treys after three quarters, but pulled all the starters in the fourth quarter and slowed down a little, finishing with 26 treys to tie an all-time team record.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
We’d e-mailed her friends; her beloved younger brother had come from New Hampshire.—
Amanda Peet,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
-
One of the brand’s most beloved products, the Glow Serum, shows exactly what the brand does best.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Your commitment to artistry, truth and humanity is to be treasured and protected at all costs.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Bridgerton treats it as though every woman got multiples of their yearbook photo to hand around as headshots, and Benedict’s taking what would have been treasured personal heirlooms and just shuffling through them and tossing out anyone with the wrong hair color.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Some fees may be charged by third-party custodians or depositories that administer precious metals IRAs.—
Nick Perry,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Try not to handle it too much with your bare hands, as the oils contained in your skin can degrade precious samples contained within the ancient meteorite, which dates back to the formation of the solar system.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cherished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cherished. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
