treasure 1 of 2

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as in gem
someone or something unusually desirable in thanking them for their contributions, the mayor referred to the volunteers at the homeless shelter as the city's greatest treasures

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

treasure

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word treasure different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of treasure are appreciate, cherish, prize, and value. While all these words mean "to hold in high estimation," treasure emphasizes jealously safeguarding something considered precious.

a treasured memento

When is appreciate a more appropriate choice than treasure?

The words appreciate and treasure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appreciate often connotes sufficient understanding to enjoy or admire a thing's excellence.

appreciates fine wine

In what contexts can cherish take the place of treasure?

The words cherish and treasure can be used in similar contexts, but cherish implies a special love and care for something.

cherishes her children above all

When is it sensible to use prize instead of treasure?

The meanings of prize and treasure largely overlap; however, prize implies taking a deep pride in something one possesses.

Americans prize their freedom

When could value be used to replace treasure?

While in some cases nearly identical to treasure, value implies rating a thing highly for its intrinsic worth.

values our friendship

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 treasure
Noun
Its iconic treasures include the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025 The Paris Prosecutor's office told NPR that two of the suspects broke into the museum's Galerie d'Apollon, which houses some of the museum's most valuable treasures, through a second-floor window shortly after the museum opened. Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
These public lands are treasured for recreation, wildlife habitat, timber production and open space. Tony Cheng, Space.com, 24 Sep. 2025 China’s example can remind Americans to treasure their country’s pluralism, Wang suggests, while also teaching them something about how to build. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for treasure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for treasure
Noun
  • These little jewels also add a beautiful pop of color to dishes her daughter already loves, like yogurt parfaits or oatmeal.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Babylon, in modern Iraq, meanwhile, was the jewel of Mesopotamia and one of the most important cities in antiquity.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Astronomically, one of the best celestial gems in the traditional constellation Andromeda is the Andromeda Galaxy, otherwise known as Messier object 31.
    Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Stepping inside feels like a trip back in time, with rows of vintage treasures alongside new releases and hard-to-find gems.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Mark Walter agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that values the NBA team at $10 billion, although that has not yet been approved.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Today the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation awards more than 70 scholarships valued at up to $15,000 each with funds augmented by corporate and individual donors.
    Margaret Buranen, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • We, in collaboration with our partners, store and/or access information on a user's device, including but not limited to IP addresses, unique identifiers, and browsing data stored in cookies, in order to process personal data.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Or, call on its air pump function, which can be used to remove air from vacuum storage bags, to store off-season clothing in minutes (without having to break out a bulky vacuum).
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Postecoglou’s tumultuous tenure followed another exit from a different English soccer club in June, when he was fired by Tottenham despite ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought with a win in the Europa League final over Manchester United.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Memphis has held the Battle for the Bones trophy — introduced in 2006 — since 2012, covering the teams’ last three meetings, including a 53-18 Tigers victory at Memphis last November.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Since 2014, Tulsa’s Woody Guthrie Center has awarded the prize to past honorees like Pete Seeger, Mavis Staples, Kris Kristofferson, Norman Lear, John Mellencamp, Chuck D, Joan Baez, Bruce Springsteen, Pussy Riot, and Tom Morello.
    Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
  • This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.
    Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Through more than a decade of running a business and raising a son, Whebbe and Paoli refused to give up on getting the Book Lady’s books into the hands of people who will love them.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The Athmile Wide-Leg Sweatpants, which shoppers love for traveling, running errands, and relaxing at home, have a super-soft fleece lining and pockets big enough for smartphones.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • More than music In a corner of his studio, Hinds stashes a collection of drums that are all different shapes and sizes.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
  • In fact, the heist got so much attention that Peruggia decided not to try to sell it and stashed it away in the false bottom of a trunk instead.
    NPR, NPR, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Treasure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/treasure. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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