appreciate

appreciate 1 comprehend, *understand

Analogous words: appraise, value, rate, *estimate, evaluate: *judge, adjudge: *apprehend, comprehend

Antonyms: depreciate

Contrasted words: disparage, derogate, detract, belittle, *decry

2 Appreciate, value, prize, treasure, cherish mean to hold in high estimation.

One appreciates what one understands sufficiently to admire critically or to enjoy with discrimination of its values, especially its aesthetic values

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relatively few persons are able to appreciate the fugues of Johann Sebastian Bach

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he liked to be near people and have his talent as a whittler appreciated— Anderson/c]

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Appreciate may not always carry this strong implication of intelligent admiration but may stress rather a response of warm approval, keen enjoyment, or gratitude

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those who are just beginning to appreciate the idea— Mackenzie

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nature actually made him ache, he appreciated it so— Galsworthy

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children easily appreciate justice— Russell

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One values what one rates highly or as worth more than other persons or things

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value honor more than life

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there is nothing he values so much as the respect of his children

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the tragedy of plain women; to be valued, but not loved— Mary Austin

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One prizes what one values highly, especially as a possession, and takes deep pride in or sets great store by

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the good we never miss we rarely prize— Cowper

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what is freedom and why is it prized?— Dewey

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One treasures what one keeps safe from danger of being lost or stolen, especially because one regards it as precious or attaches great sentimental value to it

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she treasures every memento of her youth

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those who value money because it makes them independent are the reverse of those who treasure every penny they acquire and become slaves to their avarice

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When used in reference to persons, treasure implies a clinging to more often than appreciation or love

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pay me no homage, Mario, —but if it be I have your friendship, I shall treasure it— Millay

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Cherish may often be used interchangeably with prize and treasure but carries a stronger implication of love or affection for what is cherished and often suggests closer, more intimate association or attentions

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cherish a few books only, and those few chosen not for their fame in the world but wholly for the pleasure that they give you— Montague

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he was a man who cherished his friends. He liked to call at the Bishop’s house to advise him about the care of his young orchard, or to leave a bottle of homemade cherry brandy for Father Joseph— Cather

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Analogous words: admire, esteem, respect, regard (see under REGARD n): enjoy, *like, relish

Antonyms: despise

Contrasted words: contemn, scorn, disdain (see DESPISE): depreciate, disparage, *decry