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
Guests were handed raffle tickets for designer handbags, Cartier watches and other treasures fit for royalty. Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026 Dolly doubles down on Tennessee National treasure Dolly Parton's latest love letter to Nashville, Tennessee, is the 12-story, 245-room SongTeller Hotel, which opens later this year. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026
Verb
The storied tree is treasured not only for its age, stature and beauty, but for connections to the legend of Robin Hood, said to have hidden along with his band of outlaws inside the trunk to escape the Sheriff of Nottingham. Karina Zaiets, USA Today, 19 June 2026 Books represent truth, facts, analysis, all values that should be treasured and embraced but are now under assault in some quarters. Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for treasure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for treasure
Noun
  • With each passing day that the jewels remain missing, fears grow that these pieces of French national heritage have been dismantled, their famed emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds cut apart and sold on the black market.
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 13 July 2026
  • Considered the jewel of the offseason Ryan Weathers trade with the Yankees, Lewis is second in the Southern League with 17 homers.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Noun
  • The obvious gem of the collection is the attention-getting title story, about the Canadian Nobel laureate Alice Munro, who died in 2024 — and whose complex, layered short fiction Aviv admires.
    Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • When a blight hits the island, the result of a curse that began when Maui stole a gem representing the heart of the goddess Te Fiti, Moana gets her quest and excuse to voyage — to find the missing Maui and force him to return the stone.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • Empathy and active listening appear among the 10 core skills employers value most, alongside analytical thinking, resilience and creativity.
    Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • But this view risks fetishizing embodiment and emotion, much the same way that previous generations valued reason and language to an outsized degree to prove that humans are distinct from animals.
    Meghan O’Gieblyn, The New York Review of Books, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • In addition, the tritium is far safer compared to historical alternatives because beta particles cannot penetrate human skin, and the gas is securely stored in the form of a solid metal hydride foil, eliminating the danger of leakage or explosion.
    David Szondy July 07, New Atlas, 8 July 2026
  • Big batteries, which store energy when the sun isn’t shining and wind isn’t blowing, are fixing renewables’ intermittency issues.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • Golden Boot History The top scorer in the World Cup has been recognized since 1930, but the award got an official name and trophy, the Golden Shoe, in 1982.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • France’s departing coach, Didier Deschamps, is already a World Cup great, having won the title as France’s captain in 1998 and led the team to the trophy 20 years later.
    Steve Douglas, AJC.com, 13 July 2026
Noun
  • No one won the Mega Millions jackpot on Tuesday night, or any of the Match 5 prizes.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • While these sachets are great for revival, the first prize is maintaining adequate hydration from the jump.
    Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Verb
  • According to the couple’s daughter, like Pearl, Cotliar loved being a grandparent and kept folders with photos and accomplishments of his grandchildren.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three who loved to sing and write poetry, was shot and killed by ICE in Minneapolis in January.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • Marquis says Kidd also stashed valuables elsewhere, including Connecticut and Rhode Island.
    Eric Shawn, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Plus, the slash pockets add a utilitarian touch for sightseeing and are perfect for stashing small travel items.
    Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Treasure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/treasure. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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