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
  • Every jewel begins with a dream, an emotion, a vision, an idea waiting to be brought to life.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Hamilton also wore some serious jewels, with a diamond necklace and stud earrings.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 20 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
  • Oaks support a wide range of organisms, anchoring entire ecosystems, and also serve the vital task of storing carbon on a warming planet.
    Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The recipe yields 4 cups of salty, spicy nuts that can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The jersey will be displayed in a trophy case at an entrance to the gym.
    Russell Lissau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Two days later, after winning a trophy in his debut, González was still taking in the moment.
    Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 19 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
  • If the elder Lansky stashed away millions, his grandson noted, the family never saw it.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2026
  • In addition to high-yield savings and CDs, investors can stash cash in money market funds and Treasury bills.
    Michelle Fox, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Treasure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/treasure. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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