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
Why their owner never returned for the treasure, however, remains a mystery. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Each treasure is available in a quantity of exactly one, and the highest bidder takes it home. — Mina Dragani, Architectural Digest, 24 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
  • The table furthest to the left (when walking out of the main dining room) is the crown jewel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Each nail was painted a creamy, satiny nude hue from base to tip, but her ring fingers got a little extra glam, with three rhinestones placed right at the base—a red jewel framed by a diamond to match her ruby-colored outfit, of course.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Her closet is full of gifted designer pieces, brand-deal holdovers, and fashion-industry gems, meaning her work wardrobe is, frankly, pretty hard to compete with.
    — Morgan Sullivan, Glamour, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Cam Schlittler pitched another playoff gem against the Red Sox, and Ben Rice also burned their hometown team with a late grand slam and six RBIs as the New York Yankees opened this Wild Card Series rematch by romping to a 9-0 victory Tuesday night.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The deal values the Caribbean resort chain at $6 billion and is expected to boost growth for both companies, according to CNBC.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The household also reported three cash accounts, including one worth more than $1 million, and bitcoin valued at between roughly $16,000 and $65,000.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Research suggests that low ferritin, a protein that stores iron inside your cells, is associated with different forms of hair loss, including telogen effluvium, in women.
    — Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026
  • By the time Simon helped with the redecoration, her dad had settled into another chapter of life, selling arcade games and raising his family, and leaving the traces of his former career stored in a large collection of Kodachrome slides.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • For this mob, watches are as much assets to flip as trophies to collect.
    — Adam Erace, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • They were also presented by Thierry Frémaux with a copy of their Cannes best director award so that both had a trophy.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Nearly 215,000 other tickets sold in the United States also won prizes ranging from $10 to $100,000 in the drawing, the lottery said.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • That ticket didn’t take the Mega Millions top prize, which will be $321 million on Friday, nor did any ticket have either of the Fantasy 5 jackpot quintets.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • This is the loose canon who loves nothing more than a boozy brunch or last-minute excursion and will make friends with anyone at the drop of a hat.
    — Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • It might be pondered, for example, by people who love pets, consider the ethics of eating meat, or worry about the biosphere.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Who’s offering him Cool Ranch Doritos from the bag stashed inside his Speedo.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The behaviors run the full range, from tiny tweaks like stashing the phone across the room, killing pointless notifications and blocking off screen-free stretches, all the way to full-day commitments to unplug.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Treasure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/treasure. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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