GEM Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

gem 1 of 2

noun

ˈjem

Definition of gem

as in jewel

a usually valuable stone cut and polished for ornament a ring set with diamonds and other precious gems

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rough

as in treasure

someone or something unusually desirable that new car is a real gem she's dating a real gem these days

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lemon
loser

gem

2 of 2

verb

as in to diamond

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 gem

Noun

Everyone will be racing to the table to grab a second–er, third–helping of these smoky gems. — Krissy Tiglias, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2026 Now it’s changed with Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish and Hayley Williams, who’s a total gem. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Verb

Consider this Tata Harper gem the fountain of youth in oil form. — Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 29 Nov. 2022 Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have also laid claim to gem as well, which was the possession of many rulers, including India’s Mughal emperors, before coming into the hands of the British monarchy. — Niha Masih, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for gem

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gem

Noun

Domingo arrived on the red carpet in Valentino (30 percent of which is owned by Kering) with jewels by Boucheron, as the Oscar nominee was named the jeweler’s first American ambassador earlier this year.

— Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
Each is differentiated by different colors and patterns, but common detailing comes in the form of colorful jewel studs, safety pins, distressed soles and bright orange cheetah print insoles.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of jewel

Noun

And more treasures await in nearby towns like New Preston and Falls Village that have shops filled with both antiques and local craft.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
Top it off with one of Róhe’s signatures—a drapey satin top—and a pendant necklace from their display case of treasures, featuring vintage silver jewelry alongside the house’s contemporary styles.

— Madeline Fass, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of treasure

Verb

However, the jewels Mary acquired throughout her lifetime serve as a sparkling reminder of her legacy, from the Cullinan diamonds to the Queen Mary’s bandeau tiara which Meghan Markle wore on her wedding day in 2018.

— Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
For instance, this option from Oak and Luna features a naturally occurring silicon carbide now grown almost entirely in labs, brings a more responsible origin story alongside genuine brilliance, ranking second only to diamond in hardness.

— Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of diamond

Noun

Punk For seven brilliant years in the nineties, the Washington punk-rock band Bikini Kill kicked up a ruckus as pioneers of the riot-grrrl movement.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026
Running through the genres his songs bring to mind, the range spans Japanese kayokyoku (vintage pop) and J-pop to British rock, club music, and hip-hop.

— Billboard Japan, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of rock

Noun

More than 80,000 people, according to NBC, applied to compete for a prize fund worth up to $250,000.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026
Laleh Marzban, who won Best Actress in Venice Film Festival’s Orizzonti sidebar, has become the subject of a harsh smear campaign by Islamic Republic state media over comments in her acceptance speech dedicating the prize to the women of Iran.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of prize

Verb

The discovery and export of hydrocarbons in the 20th century transformed relatively small maritime trading and pearling societies into high-income states integrated into global energy markets.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2026
In the summer of 2024, while visiting my grandmother in China, my husband gave me a pearl ring and asked if we could be pearled.

— Shayla Love, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026

Definition of pearl

Verb

Coxon argued that corporate competition has trapped labs in a hubristic race that forces them to build dangerous systems first.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Markets seem trapped in a cycle of Iran tensions leading to higher oil prices, which leads to stocks moving lower and ultimately inflation concerns rising.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of trap

Browse Nearby Words

gels

gem

gemmed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gem. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of gem

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on gem

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

aggrandize

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes