Synonyms of cherish

cherish

verb

ˈcher-ish 

1

as in to love

to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for

promised to love and cherish her husband forever

Synonyms & Similar Words

• love
• adore
• fall for
• carry the torch (for)
• worship
• idolize
• revere
• idealize
• carry a torch (for)
• lose one's heart (to)
• venerate
• reverence
• adulate
• canonize
• dote (on)
• deify
• delight (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• despise
• detest
• loathe
• abhor
• antagonize
• displease
• dislike
• disapprove (of)
• abominate
• execrate
• revolt
• repel
• turn off
• sicken
• repulse
• disgust
• disfavor
• nauseate

2

as in to treasure

to hold dear

we shall always cherish the keepsakes that our grandmother left us

Synonyms & Similar Words

• treasure
• love
• appreciate
• value
• enjoy
• admire
• respect
• like
• prize
• relish
• revere
• regard
• set store on
• venerate
• reverence
• set store by
• memorialize
• enshrine
• delight (in)
• groove (on)
• fancy
• idolize
• revel (in)
• esteem
• adore
• caress
• dig
• dote (on)
• worship
• apprize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• despise
• undervalue
• detest
• loathe
• abhor
• minimize
• forget
• slight
• disdain
• scorn
• depreciate
• disparage
• disvalue
• sniff (at)
• belittle
• abandon
• decry
• scout
• put down
• deprecate
• write off
• abominate
• neglect
• snub
• execrate
• cry down
• bad-mouth
• high-hat
• kiss off

3

as in to have

to keep in one's mind or heart

after all these years, she still cherishes the memory of her first summer romance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• have
• hold
• retain
• entertain
• cultivate
• harbor
• keep
• maintain
• remember
• bear
• preserve
• hold on to
• nurse
• treasure
• carry
• nurture
• sustain
• foster
• hang on to
• hug
• support
• stick (to)
• cling (to)
• cleave (to)
• fixate (on or upon)
• brood (about or over)
• obsess (about or over)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forget
• ignore
• deny
• disregard
• refuse
• overlook
• drop
• neglect
• reject
• decline
• repudiate
• abandon
• discard
• scorn
• forsake
• renounce
• give up
• quit
• part (with)
• desert
• disdain
• erase
• abjure
• throw out
• expunge

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cherish different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of cherish are appreciate, prize, treasure, and value. While all these words mean "to hold in high estimation," cherish implies a special love and care for something.

cherishes her children above all

When can appreciate be used instead of cherish?

In some situations, the words appreciate and cherish are roughly equivalent. However, appreciate often connotes sufficient understanding to enjoy or admire a thing's excellence.

appreciates fine wine

When would prize be a good substitute for cherish?

The synonyms prize and cherish are sometimes interchangeable, but prize implies taking a deep pride in something one possesses.

Americans prize their freedom

Where would treasure be a reasonable alternative to cherish?

Although the words treasure and cherish have much in common, treasure emphasizes jealously safeguarding something considered precious.

a treasured memento

When could value be used to replace cherish?

The meanings of value and cherish largely overlap; however, value implies rating a thing highly for its intrinsic worth.

values our friendship

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cherish

If the people don’t cherish and demand transparent government, then the politicians certainly won’t, whether in Florida or the rest of the country. —David Cuillier, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025

The time to get all of these people together, on camera, to discuss all things Rocky and share their stories is not infinite and, as a result, fans will find plenty to cherish in Strange Journey. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025

His daughter, Emma, spoke about how the loss of her father meant having to grow up quicker and miss out on special moments daughters live to cherish. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025

Listen to this article Chesterton junior Rob Czarniecki cherishes the challenge and the camaraderie too much. —Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025