Adjective held dear has 1 sense
- cherished, held dear - thought of and clung to fondly or reverentially
Antonym: forsaken (indirect, via unforsaken)
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Verb hold dear has 1 sense
- care for, cherish, hold dear, treasure - be fond of; be attached to
--1 is one way to love
Sample sentences:
Sam cannot hold dear Sue
Sam and Sue hold dear the movie
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