Definition of treasurenext
1
2
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

2 of 2

verb

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
There are designer treasures, everyday favorites and plenty of pieces for girls with curves, because style has nothing to do with size and everything to do with vibes. Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026 Its collections include more than 19 million scientific specimens and archival treasures. Ross Dimattei, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
There was a fluidity to their performance that treasured passion over technical precision. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026 In the meantime, French curators are working on digitizing the Ségou treasure manuscripts for study anywhere in the world. Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for treasure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for treasure
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
Noun
  • Set the scene An hour and a half north of NYC by train, Beacon is a Hudson Valley gem.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
  • View this post on Instagram Participants even include such celebrity magnets as Bad Bunny’s Asian clubstaurant Gekko (Brickell) coastal-Italian gem Casadonna (Edgewater) and fancy steakhouse Daniel’s (Coral Gables).
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Critically, the low revenue is far from keeping pace with how investors are valuing the Chinese startups.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
  • But national universities do not value or reward those activities equally.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The default time for storing images before deletion, currently 30 days, will drop to a week.
    The Week US, TheWeek, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The tapestry had actually been taken down, rolled up and stored in the basement for the past couple of years as Paul Stuart sought to attract a younger customer.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But at the end of last term, Madrid president Florentino Perez turned to him to shake up a side which had failed to win a major trophy for a second successive season.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Margo’s Got Money Troubles, The Pitt, and Widow’s Bay all picked up hecka trophies.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
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
Verb
  • Within a relationship or in its wake, love and hate often cohabitate.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Drummer Stan Lynch left the group for good in 1994, seemingly with some musical estrangement from Petty at the time, though he was known to stay in loving contact with other members of the band in subsequent decades.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Shoes have a reputation for being clunky and not ideal for packing, but these lightweight, flexible flats can be stashed in a carry-on or weekender bag with no trouble.
    Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This on-trend puffy crossbody is compact enough for comfort, yet spacious enough to stash your wallet, phone, a book or two, and even an iPad.
    Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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