dearly held

USAGE SUMMARY

'dearly held' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would typically use it to describe something that you or someone else holds in high regard, often emotionally. Example: She cherished the memories of their time together, dearly held in her heart.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Other ideas, however dearly held, are myths.

The New York Times - Science

Disorder's greatest transformative power, he suggests, comes from challenging dearly held beliefs and encouraging free thinking.

The New York Times - Books

The power of his arguments will challenge some of your most dearly held architectural beliefs.

The New York Times - Books

He emphasized that townships could work together without compromising dearly held and fiercely guarded home rule.

The New York Times

Now consider how Pine obtained and transmitted Roper's most dearly held secrets.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This is a dearly held principle of his, but he can joke about it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Schlafly was a vocal opponent of the women's liberation movement that took hold in the United States in the 1970s, and was a key player in the defeat of the dearly-held feminist dream of an Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

Huffington Post

At Easter, Georgian Orthodox leaders said a clause in an anti-discrimination bill guaranteeing equal treatment of LGBT people, required by the EU for closer ties, would legalise "gay propaganda" in a direct threat to dearly-held Georgian values.

The Guardian

First, there is the crucial difference between refusing to do business with someone simply because he is gay and refusing to sign a contract to play a part in a marriage ceremony that violates one's own dearly-held religious convictions about the function and meaning of marriage.

The Economist

David Bateman, assistant professor of government, and co-authors Ira Katznelson and John S. Lapinski, draw on in-depth analyses of key historical sources and congressional data to show how the South coalesced behind the single priority of white supremacy above all else, often sacrificing other dearly-held priorities.

Cornell University

As a modification to the dearly-held formulation of gravity laid out by Isaac Newton, the theory came immediately under fire.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dearly held", consider the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the overall tone. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings, but the intensity of emotion should match the subject matter.

Common error

Avoid using "dearly held" when a simpler term like "important" or "valued" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dearly held" functions primarily as a modifier, specifically an adjective, describing the quality of a noun, such as beliefs, values, or principles. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates something is regarded with deep affection or importance. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, highlighting the strong emotional or personal connection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dearly held" is a versatile and frequently used adjective phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that adds emotional depth to writing. It signifies a strong personal connection to beliefs, values, or principles. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, as evidenced by its presence in numerous authoritative sources like the New York Times and The Guardian, overuse should be avoided to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "highly valued" or "deeply cherished" can be employed to provide variety and nuance. Be mindful of the context to ensure appropriate usage. Overall, "dearly held" is a valuable tool for expressing emotional significance in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply cherished

Highlights the emotional aspect of valuing something, suggesting a tender and affectionate regard.

intensely felt

Highlights the strength of the emotional connection to something, focusing on the depth of feeling.

precious

Conveys a sense of rarity and irreplaceability, highlighting the emotional significance of something.

highly valued

Emphasizes the importance or worth assigned to something, shifting focus from emotional attachment to objective value.

passionately embraced

Emphasizes the active and enthusiastic acceptance of something, suggesting a wholehearted commitment.

greatly prized

Emphasizes the rarity or specialness of something, suggesting it is highly sought after or appreciated.

strongly believed

Focuses on the conviction and certainty associated with a belief, rather than the emotional investment.

closely guarded

Indicates that something is protected or defended with great care, suggesting its importance and vulnerability.

firmly established

Indicates that something is well-settled and not easily changed, highlighting stability over emotional connection.

sacred

Implies that something is revered or considered holy, elevating it to a position of utmost importance and respect.

FAQs

How can I use "dearly held" in a sentence?

You can use "dearly held" to describe beliefs, principles, or memories that are deeply valued or cherished. For example, "These are our most dearly held values."

What are some alternatives to "dearly held"?

Some alternatives include "highly valued", "deeply cherished", or "strongly believed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "dearly held belief" redundant?

While "belief" often implies a degree of conviction, "dearly held belief" emphasizes the emotional significance and personal investment in that belief. It's not strictly redundant, but use it when you want to highlight the emotional aspect.

What's the difference between "dearly held" and "highly valued"?

"Dearly held" emphasizes emotional attachment and personal significance, while "highly valued" focuses on objective worth or importance. Use "dearly held" when the emotional connection is the key aspect.