GEM Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

gem 1 of 2

noun

ˈjem

Definition of gem

as in jewel

a usually valuable stone cut and polished for ornament a ring set with diamonds and other precious gems

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rough

as in treasure

someone or something unusually desirable that new car is a real gem she's dating a real gem these days

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lemon
loser

gem

2 of 2

verb

as in to diamond

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of gem

Noun

Here are five hidden gems for those seeking depth, authenticity, and a sense of discovery. — Sofia Markovich, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026 The Pierre was a gem, but a tarnished one after 96 summers and thousands of guests. — Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Consider this Tata Harper gem the fountain of youth in oil form. — Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 29 Nov. 2022 Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have also laid claim to gem as well, which was the possession of many rulers, including India’s Mughal emperors, before coming into the hands of the British monarchy. — Niha Masih, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for gem

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gem

Noun

The owner of this famous jewel—still worn today by the women of the Luxembourg royal family —did not seem destined to become a grand duchess.

— Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
The Vienna robbery also comes less than a year after the brazen theft of jewels from the Louvre in Paris.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of jewel

Noun

Fifty-something years later, Rush remains a North American treasure.

— Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2026
The steward of this American treasure since the patriarch died in 2013, Jeanie Buss dug in her Christian Louboutin heels in a fight to keep her family in the hierarchy of the purple and gold.

— Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of treasure

Verb

However, the jewels Mary acquired throughout her lifetime serve as a sparkling reminder of her legacy, from the Cullinan diamonds to the Queen Mary’s bandeau tiara which Meghan Markle wore on her wedding day in 2018.

— Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
For instance, this option from Oak and Luna features a naturally occurring silicon carbide now grown almost entirely in labs, brings a more responsible origin story alongside genuine brilliance, ranking second only to diamond in hardness.

— Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of diamond

Noun

People pointed to enormous rocks that had been washed downriver during the earlier floods, as others standing on a suspension bridge over the water were warned off with whistles.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Some pointed to enormous rocks washed downriver during the earlier floods, while others standing on a suspension bridge were warned off with whistles.

— Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of rock

Noun

All of a Sudden premiered to acclaim at Cannes in May, where co-stars Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto shared the best actress prize.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Efira and Okamoto shared the festival’s best actress prize; Okamoto is the first Japanese performer to win it.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of prize

Verb

The discovery and export of hydrocarbons in the 20th century transformed relatively small maritime trading and pearling societies into high-income states integrated into global energy markets.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2026
In the summer of 2024, while visiting my grandmother in China, my husband gave me a pearl ring and asked if we could be pearled.

— Shayla Love, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026

Definition of pearl

Verb

That snow warms the ground below and allows microbes during the winter to release more of the heat-trapping gas methane, Elmendorf said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Making memory foam breathe Cooling materials can only do so much if warm air remains trapped inside a mattress, so ventilation makes up another substantial part of the design.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of trap

Browse Nearby Words

gels

gem

gemmed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gem. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of gem

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on gem

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes