Synonyms of cherish

cherish

verb

ˈcher-ish 

1

as in to love

to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for

promised to love and cherish her husband forever

Synonyms & Similar Words

• love
• adore
• fall for
• carry the torch (for)
• worship
• idolize
• revere
• idealize
• carry a torch (for)
• lose one's heart (to)
• venerate
• reverence
• adulate
• canonize
• dote (on)
• deify
• delight (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• despise
• detest
• loathe
• abhor
• antagonize
• displease
• dislike
• disapprove (of)
• abominate
• execrate
• revolt
• repel
• turn off
• sicken
• repulse
• disgust
• disfavor
• nauseate

2

as in to treasure

to hold dear

we shall always cherish the keepsakes that our grandmother left us

Synonyms & Similar Words

• treasure
• love
• appreciate
• value
• enjoy
• admire
• respect
• like
• prize
• relish
• revere
• regard
• venerate
• reverence
• memorialize
• enshrine
• set store by
• delight (in)
• fancy
• revel (in)
• esteem
• dig
• caress
• adore
• groove (on)
• idolize
• worship
• apprize
• dote (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• despise
• undervalue
• detest
• loathe
• abhor
• minimize
• forget
• slight
• disdain
• scorn
• depreciate
• disparage
• disvalue
• sniff (at)
• belittle
• abandon
• decry
• scout
• put down
• deprecate
• write off
• abominate
• neglect
• snub
• execrate
• cry down
• bad-mouth
• high-hat
• kiss off

3

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

• have
• hold
• retain
• entertain
• cultivate
• harbor
• keep
• maintain
• remember
• bear
• preserve
• hold on to
• nurse
• treasure
• carry
• nurture
• sustain
• foster
• hang on to
• hug
• support
• stick (to)
• cling (to)
• cleave (to)
• fixate (on or upon)
• brood (about or over)
• obsess (about or over)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forget
• ignore
• deny
• disregard
• refuse
• overlook
• drop
• neglect
• reject
• decline
• repudiate
• abandon
• discard
• scorn
• forsake
• renounce
• give up
• quit
• part (with)
• desert
• disdain
• erase
• abjure
• throw out
• expunge

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

Recent Examples of cherish

Other Popular Types of Thyme Beyond culinary uses, some thyme types are cherished for their attractive appearance and strong, delightful aroma. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026

The youngest of her siblings, Clara is deeply cherished by her family who indulge her ethereal whimsy, telepathy, psychic abilities and endless curiosity. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026

Everything Leo cherishes, Trump holds in contempt. —Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026

Heirloom seeds are cherished in the gardening community for their historical significance and role in promoting biodiversity. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026