“Hold sacred” synonyms, such as cherish, revere, honor, and treasure, express profound respect, emotional significance, spiritual value, or moral importance. For example, “revere” emphasizes admiration or awe, while “cherish” conveys emotional closeness and heartfelt importance. These words allow speakers and writers to communicate the value, reverence, or sacredness of people, traditions, objects, or beliefs.
Whether in writing, speeches, personal reflections, or storytelling, using the right synonym for “hold sacred” helps convey reverence, respect, or emotional connection clearly.
These synonyms go beyond respect—they convey devotion, emotional weight, and moral significance.
What Does “Hold Sacred” Really Mean?
To “hold sacred” means to treat something with deep respect, emotional importance, spiritual significance, or moral weight.
Key traits include:
- Reverence: Deep admiration or honor
- Value: Emotional, spiritual, or cultural importance
- Respect: Recognition of worth or significance
- Devotion: Commitment to protect, maintain, or preserve
Think of “hold sacred” as a powerful way to express what someone truly values or reveres.
Synonyms for “Hold Sacred” (With Meanings, Usage & Examples)
1. Cherish
Meaning: To value deeply with affection.
When to Use: Personal, emotional, sentimental contexts.
Example: She cherishes the memories of her childhood home.
2. Revere
Meaning: To regard with profound respect or awe.
When to Use: Spiritual, formal, or cultural contexts.
Example: They revere their cultural traditions.
3. Honor
Meaning: To show respect or recognition.
When to Use: Formal, moral, or ceremonial situations.
Example: We honor the bravery of our ancestors.
4. Treasure
Meaning: To value highly or protect dearly.
When to Use: Emotional or sentimental contexts.
Example: He treasures his grandmother’s ring.
5. Venerate
Meaning: To treat with deep reverence.
When to Use: Religious, spiritual, or formal admiration.
Example: The community venerates its spiritual leader.
6. Esteem
Meaning: To hold in high regard or respect.
When to Use: Polite, professional, or respectful situations.
Example: She esteems her mentor greatly.
7. Adore
Meaning: To love deeply with admiration.
When to Use: Personal, emotional, or affectionate contexts.
Example: They adore their family traditions.
8. Uphold
Meaning: To support, protect, or maintain value.
When to Use: Moral or principle-based respect.
Example: He upholds the values passed down to him.
9. Value Deeply
Meaning: To consider something extremely important.
When to Use: Emotional, personal, or practical contexts.
Example: She values deeply the friendships she has built.
10. Hold Dear
Meaning: To regard with affection and importance.
When to Use: Personal or sentimental contexts.
Example: He holds dear the lessons his parents taught him.
11. Sanctify
Meaning: To make holy, sacred, or spiritually significant.
When to Use: Religious or ceremonial situations.
Example: The ritual sanctifies the special day.
12. Worship
Meaning: To show devotion or reverent honor.
When to Use: Spiritual, religious, or ceremonial contexts.
Example: They worship at the old temple every week.
13. Exalt
Meaning: To glorify or elevate in status.
When to Use: Poetic, formal, or spiritual contexts.
Example: The story exalts the hero’s sacrifice.
14. Prize
Meaning: To value highly and carefully.
When to Use: Emotional or practical contexts.
Example: She prizes honesty above all else.
15. Respect Deeply
Meaning: To show profound regard or admiration.
When to Use: Polite, moral, or cultural contexts.
Example: They respect deeply the traditions of their elders.
16. Idolize
Meaning: To admire greatly or excessively.
When to Use: Strong admiration or emotional devotion.
Example: The team idolizes their longtime coach.
17. Enshrine
Meaning: To preserve or protect as sacred.
When to Use: Cultural, historical, or spiritual significance.
Example: Their beliefs are enshrined in tradition.
18. Preserve
Meaning: To protect something important from harm or loss.
When to Use: Cultural, moral, or emotional protection.
Example: They work hard to preserve their heritage.
19. Hold in Reverence
Meaning: To deeply respect and value.
When to Use: Spiritual, formal, or moral respect.
Example: The community holds in reverence the ancient texts.
20. Glorify
Meaning: To celebrate or honor greatly.
When to Use: Formal, ceremonial, or religious contexts.
Example: The festival glorifies the legacy of past leaders.
21. Keep Sacred
Meaning: To maintain or protect as holy or valuable.
When to Use: Cultural, spiritual, or emotional contexts.
Example: They keep sacred the artifacts passed through generations.
22. Regard With Reverence
Meaning: To view with deep respect.
When to Use: Spiritual, cultural, or formal situations.
Example: The elders regard with reverence the old manuscripts.
23. Treat As Holy
Meaning: To consider sacred or spiritually significant.
When to Use: Religious or ceremonial contexts.
Example: The temple treats the ancient relics as holy.
24. Defend With Loyalty
Meaning: To protect or uphold with devotion.
When to Use: Personal, moral, or cultural situations.
Example: They defend with loyalty their family traditions.
25. See As Precious
Meaning: To regard as valuable or treasured.
When to Use: Emotional or sentimental contexts.
Example: She sees as precious the moments spent with her grandparents.
26. Maintain With Reverence
Meaning: To preserve respectfully or carefully.
When to Use: Cultural, historical, or moral contexts.
Example: The library maintains with reverence the rare manuscripts.
27. Treat With Deep Respect
Meaning: To honor or value highly.
When to Use: Formal, spiritual, or cultural contexts.
Example: They treat with deep respect the wisdom of their elders.
28. Admire With Devotion
Meaning: To hold in high regard emotionally or morally.
When to Use: Personal or spiritual admiration.
Example: He admires with devotion his mentor’s guidance.
29. Uphold as Sacred
Meaning: To protect or maintain with spiritual or moral reverence.
When to Use: Religious, moral, or formal contexts.
Example: They uphold as sacred the rituals passed down for generations.
30. Cherish With Reverence
Meaning: To value something highly and respect it profoundly.
When to Use: Emotional, cultural, or spiritual contexts.
Example: She cherishes with reverence the heirlooms of her family.
How to Choose the Right Synonym for “Hold Sacred”
For Emotional or Sentimental Value:
Cherish, treasure, hold dear, value deeply, see as precious
For Spiritual or Religious Reverence:
Revere, worship, sanctify, exalt, hold in reverence
For Moral or Principle-Based Respect:
Uphold, honor, preserve, defend with loyalty, uphold as sacred
For Formal or Dramatic Contexts:
Glorify, enshrine, maintain with reverence, treat as holy
For Personal or Emotional Admiration:
Adore, esteem, admire with devotion, cherish with reverence
Conclusion
Synonyms for “hold sacred” convey emotional, spiritual, moral, and cultural reverence.
Words like cherish, treasure, and hold dear emphasize personal and heartfelt value, while revere, worship, and sanctify highlight spiritual or religious significance. Meanwhile, honor, uphold, and preserve express moral duty or protection.
Using the right synonym allows your writing or speech to convey emotion, importance, and reverence accurately—whether in casual reflection, storytelling, or formal discussion. Each word adds its own unique depth to the concept of holding something sacred.
