Definitions

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

“You never know when the last one is going to be, so cherish them all,” Busch said of that victory.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

“We learned early on that we are not just providing delicious New England Chinese food; we are connecting people to the memories they cherish from their childhood,” says Lawlor.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

The Hollywood Reporter said the film "delivers for lifelong fans who cherish the music", but the Telegraph noted that it "refuses to address the elephant in the room".

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

I began to cherish hopes I had no right to conceive: that the match was broken off; that rumour had been mistaken; that one or both parties had changed their minds.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Vocabulary lists containing cherish

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The Balcony Scene from "Romeo and Juliet"

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Metamorphosis

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