cherish

[cher-ish] / ˈtʃɛr ɪʃ /

VERB

care about deeply

Synonyms

STRONGEST

admire adore appreciate care for cling to cultivate defend embrace encourage enshrine entertain harbor hold dear honor love preserve revere safeguard treasure worship

STRONG

clasp coddle comfort cosset fancy fondle foster guard hug idolize like nourish nurse nurture pet prize reverence shelter shield support sustain value venerate

WEAK

cleave to dote on hold in high esteem

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abhor condemn despise destroy detest dishonor dislike disparage disregard disrespect hate hurt ignore neglect reject scorn

STRONG

deprive let go release starve turn away

WEAK

abandon denounce forsake not care renounce

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I really cherish my marriage, and our family, and I just didn’t want to mess it up.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

"But more than anything, it's the people and friendships I've made throughout the game that I'll cherish forever."

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

“We cherish pleasure,” the authors write unabashedly, “and believe a politics without it will be unattractive, drab, listless, and doomed to failure.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

"We should all cherish what we have been gifted."

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

“I will cherish these for the rest of my life. Or return them to you tomorrow,” she said before putting them in her tote bag.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

Vocabulary lists containing cherish

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The Balcony Scene from "Romeo and Juliet"

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Metamorphosis

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