cherish
verb
cher·ish ˈcher-ish 
ˈche-rish
cherished; cherishing; cherishes
transitive verb
1
a
: to hold dear : feel or show affection for
cherished her friends
b
: to keep or cultivate with care and affection : nurture
cherishes his marriage
2
: to entertain or harbor in the mind deeply and resolutely
still cherishes that memory
cherishable
ˈcher-i-shə-bəl
adjective ˈche-ri-
cherisher
ˈcher-i-shər
noun ˈche-ri-
Synonyms
- adore
- love
- worship
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a book cherished by many I will always cherish that memory.
Recent Examples on the Web These are all rights that the vast majority of Americans cherish, and the radicalized G.O.P. of Alito, Thomas, Trump, and Masters is threatening them. 
John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2022 The lesson was: Behold the fragile jewel that is your one possession and cherish it accordingly. Benjamin Kunkel, The New Republic, 14 June 2022 The Heinzens wanted to meet with the potential buyers, in hopes of finding someone who would cherish and care for the house. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 26 May 2022 Randall learns from his father to be present, live in the moment and cherish it all. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 May 2022 His injury history has taught him to cherish every opportunity and not take any moment on the field for granted, understanding any play could be his last. Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 10 May 2022 Such a designation was made to recognize the Isle of Man’s special environment, culture, heritage and economy and its people’s desire to cherish and nurture them. Gary Stoller, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2021 The Dodgers also cherish elite talent, and Friedman sees that in Seager. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2021 The hope is that some of the kids who cherish these encounters will also be spurred to follow their heroes to Westwood. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2022 See More
John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2022 The lesson was: Behold the fragile jewel that is your one possession and cherish it accordingly. Benjamin Kunkel, The New Republic, 14 June 2022 The Heinzens wanted to meet with the potential buyers, in hopes of finding someone who would cherish and care for the house. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 26 May 2022 Randall learns from his father to be present, live in the moment and cherish it all. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 May 2022 His injury history has taught him to cherish every opportunity and not take any moment on the field for granted, understanding any play could be his last. Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 10 May 2022 Such a designation was made to recognize the Isle of Man’s special environment, culture, heritage and economy and its people’s desire to cherish and nurture them. Gary Stoller, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2021 The Dodgers also cherish elite talent, and Friedman sees that in Seager. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2021 The hope is that some of the kids who cherish these encounters will also be spurred to follow their heroes to Westwood. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English cherisshen, from Anglo-French cheriss-, stem of cherir to cherish, from cher dear, from Latin carus — more at charity
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
cherish
verb
cher·ish ˈcher-ish
cherished; cherishing
1
: to hold dear : feel or show affection for
cherish a friend
2
: to remember or hold in a deeply felt way
She cherishes the memory.
cherishes
verb
1
as in loves
to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for promised to love and cherish her husband forever Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- loves
- adores
- worships
- reveres
- falls for
- idolizes
- idealizes
- venerates
- reverences
- carries the torch (for)
- loses one's heart (to)
- deifies
- carries a torch (for)
- canonizes
- adulates
- dotes (on)
- delights (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hates
- despises
- abhors
- detests
- loathes
- antagonizes
- displeases
- dislikes
- abominates
- disapproves (of)
- disgusts
- execrates
- repels
- disfavors
- sickens
- repulses
- turns off
- revolts
- nauseates
2
as in values
to hold dear we shall always cherish the keepsakes that our grandmother left us Synonyms & Similar Words
- values
- loves
- appreciates
- treasures
- enjoys
- admires
- respects
- reveres
- relishes
- likes
- regards
- venerates
- prizes
- reverences
- sets store on
- enshrines
- fancies
- esteems
- idolizes
- memorializes
- adores
- worships
- caresses
- sets store by
- digs
- grooves (on)
- apprizes
- revels (in)
- delights (in)
- dotes (on)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hates
- despises
- abhors
- detests
- loathes
- undervalues
- disdains
- scorns
- minimizes
- abominates
- disparages
- disvalues
- belittles
- neglects
- forgets
- decries
- abandons
- deprecates
- execrates
- depreciates
- snubs
- sniffs (at)
- scouts
- slights
- bad-mouths
- puts down
- kisses off
- high-hats
- writes off
- cries down
3
as in has
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
- has
- holds
- retains
- harbors
- entertains
- cultivates
- maintains
- nurtures
- remembers
- keeps
- sustains
- fosters
- preserves
- carries
- bears
- nurses
- supports
- treasures
- hugs
- holds on to
- hangs on to
- sticks (to)
- cleaves (to)
- clings (to)
- fixates (on or upon)
- broods (about or over)
- obsesses (about or over)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ignores
- disregards
- forgets
- neglects
- denies
- overlooks
- rejects
- disdains
- refuses
- scorns
- repudiates
- drops
- abandons
- renounces
- declines
- forsakes
- discards
- parts (with)
- abjures
- erases
- quits
- deserts
- throws out
- expunges
- gives up