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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
Each room and common area feels like a treasure box; there’s hardly an inch of space that doesn’t beg you to stop, snap a photo, and admire the artistic composition. Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025 On Friday, Lipa brought out hometown treasure Chaka Khan. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
The sweeping diagnosis includes everyone from people who treasure their neurological differences to those with debilitating symptoms, including repetitive behaviors, excruciating sensitivity to touch and sounds, and difficulty responding to social situations. Sharon Lerner, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025 The sweeping diagnosis includes everyone from people who treasure their neurological differences to those with debilitating symptoms, including repetitive behaviors, excruciating sensitivity to touch and sounds, and difficulty responding to social situations. Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for treasure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for treasure
Noun
  • During the Edwardian period and early 20th century, luxury fur coats, full-length wraps, stoles, and extravagant collars were at the height of fashion—as much a symbol of wealth as any jewel.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But the crown jewel will be the world’s highest observation deck at 644 meters (2,112 feet), providing panoramic 360-degree views that will undoubtedly become one of Earth’s most photographed vantage points.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The gems do just enough to keep the top decent, with a few hanging pieces across her bellybutton.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Nestled in the rolling hills of Capay Valley--45 minutes from Sacramento--this unexpected gem offers more than just slot machines and poker tables.
    David Weiss, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Nikolas Kokovlis | Nurphoto | Getty Images Online lender Klarna priced its IPO at $40 per share on Tuesday, above its expected range, in a deal that values the Swedish company at about $15 billion.
    Ryan Browne, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • So, clearly the Patriots value his role as a blocker in the run game.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Carbon credit monetization – Forward-looking companies are already earning credits by capturing and storing emissions, feeding into voluntary and compliance carbon markets.
    Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Hospitals can store medical records, lab results, imaging scans, and real time feeds from bedside monitors in a single hub.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Some of the biggest names in entertainment have already collected a trophy.
    Jair Hilburn, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • From records possibly being broken by The Studio and Severance to Kathy Bates potentially becoming the oldest recipient of an acting trophy in a drama category for Matlock, this year has a lot of exciting moments to look forward to.
    H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Now who will be competing for the big prize this season?
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • How many Powerball numbers are needed to win a prize?
    Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Ortega's ensemble, from the Givenchy by Sarah Burton fall/winter 2025 ready-to-wear collection, features an elaborate top piece of oversized gemstones and pearls strung together to create a kind of blouse fit for a particularly jewel-loving queen.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Grandma got to see Matilda, Matilda loves her grandma.
    Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Thousands of pages of documents stashed in drawers, stuffed in bags, and piled in boxes in a bathtub chronicle every step of their 16-year quest for justice.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
  • By Monday, some eighteen hundred students had dropped by, and the goods had largely been picked clean—Tetris’d into Ubers, hauled down subway stairs, or just stashed in reusable bags.
    Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Treasure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/treasure. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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