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
The Scripps Coastal Reserve is a public treasure meant to be shared, studied and stewarded with the community, not cordoned off behind indefinite closures and restricted access. Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025 Comments John Krasinski is ready to go full Indiana Jones as treasure hunter Luke Purdue in Guy Ritchie's movie, Fountain of Youth. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
Yours to treasure: to recite under your breath, to whisper in someone’s ear, to declaim at a party. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 2 May 2025 An increase in both the trading and the price of gold – which has been treasured for millennia – is a long-standing reaction to instability and fear in the economy. Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for treasure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for treasure
Noun
  • Trainer Todd Pletcher, 0-10 at the Preakness, is looking for his first middle jewel of the Triple Crown. 7.
    Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Of course, Aberg can only know so much about Charlotte’s jewel right now.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Have a suggestion for a great hidden dining gem in your neighborhood?
    Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 21 May 2025
  • Across from the sprawling greenery of Hampstead Heath and standing in bold contrast to the more traditional homes nearby, Schreiber House quietly holds its place as one of London’s more unusual architectural gems.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Numbers don’t mean much if women or non-White soldiers don’t feel valued and heard.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
  • Genuine respect is the experience of being seen, heard, and valued.
    Gena Cox, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • The attack knocked out the electricity that powered the facility’s incubators and damaged the backup generator, but emergency responders rushed in to address the outage and ensure that the thousands of frozen eggs, sperm and embryos stored in cryogenic tanks went unharmed.
    Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
  • Raw shrimp was stored in the stand-up cooler alongside ready-to-eat foods.
    Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • All years, makes and models are welcome, and trophies will be given to the best entry in several categories.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • The Fever have a loyal and growing fan base that’s clamoring for a trophy.
    Ben Pickman, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Powerball players in New Hampshire and Kansas also won $1 million prizes.
    Don Sweeney, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 May 2025
  • Since Survivor, Underwood competed and won the men’s prize on season 2 of The Challenge: USA in 2023.
    Ale Russian, People.com, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • This dirt cake is light and fluffy but decadent enough for adults to love, too.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 26 May 2025
  • Instead, the talks focused on community and friendship, lessons learned and love in the most Christian of ways.
    John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • Plus, each chair includes an attachable caddy for stashing drinks and snacks.
    Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
  • Alo Yoga: Leggings, dresses, and more than 200 other styles are secretly stashed away in its sale section.
    Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Treasure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/treasure. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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