PRECIOUS Synonyms: 166 Similar and Opposite Words

precious

adjective

ˈpre-shəs

Definition of precious

as in valuable

commanding a large price diamonds and other precious stones

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cherished

granted special treatment or attention parents who refuse to hear the slightest criticism of their precious children

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dear

having qualities that tend to make one loved a precious friend for whom I would do anything

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 precious According to the indictment, Bailey promised investors that the company would pool investment funds to buy precious stones and metals outside the country and then resell them inside the United States, doubling their investment. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Playfulness keeps the level of refinement from becoming precious. — David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026 Sunrise drives are also a great way to gently reacquaint yourself with those precious early hours, so rich for writing and full of new sights. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 The lawsuit, filed in California in May, names von Detten, 44, and his employer, precious metals company Rosland Capital, as defendants. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for precious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for precious

Adjective

The channel needed to retain its biggest names to keep the channel valuable to cable and satellite TV providers who pay to carry it.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
The bull case for the world’s most valuable company and the bull case for the build-out are now essentially the same case, and Morgan Stanley’s North America Insight, led by Nicholas Lentini, makes both.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of valuable

Adjective

Weigand spends much of his time on house calls, reviving cherished heirlooms that have long fallen silent.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
In a Tuesday social media post, Kansas City’s Turnsol Books described Spiegel as a cherished member of the store’s community.

— Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of cherished

Adjective

As someone who works in a creative field, Pam counts several artists and designers as dear friends.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
The outlet claimed he’s been concerned about his dear friend, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who vanished from the spotlight after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of dear

Adjective

They were showered with expensive clothes, spa treatments, and drugs, and given weekly allowances ranging from $150 to $200.

— Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Why concert tickets keep getting more expensive Artists, promoters, venues, and ticketing platforms all take a cut of each ticket.

— James LaForge, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of expensive

Adjective

As investigators search for answers, a restaurant is stepping in to help grieving families and those with loved ones in the hospital.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Friends and loved ones are mourning the man who fell to his death Monday while riding a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.

— Sarah Lynch Baldwin, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of loved

Adjective

Additionally, key highlights include new ponchos, Barefoot Dreams’ signature CozyChic hooded robe, with a new feminine rose motif running down its back, and an adorable headscarf.

— Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
The grocer is dropping a variety of adorable cookie racks that double as dessert trays.

— Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of adorable

Adjective

Bolsonaro made a tough-on-crime approach the cornerstone of his campaign and pledged to bring down food costs while Lula, trying to lure undecided voters, has invested in costly incentives.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Both player's made birdies at the 17th, but a costly miss for Ryu at the 18th allowed Yoshida to clinch it, despite the Japanese golfer also making bogey.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of costly

Adjective

But many of us have buried our beloved pets in our yards beneath new trees as an alternative to cremation.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
For this year’s show at Compton Verney, Cadogan has taken inspiration from British people who’ve written to her about losing beloved trees in their own gardens, or public spaces.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of beloved

Browse Nearby Words

precincts

precious

precipice

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Precious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precious. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of precious

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

disparate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

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

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes