held dear by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held dear by" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express that something is cherished or valued by someone. Example: "The traditions of the community are held dear by its members." Alternative expressions include "cherished by," "valued by," and "treasured by."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Food was held dear by all members of the court with the exception of Queen Aigle.

The New Yorker

Reforming public services has been held dear by most recent governments – and all have found it a struggle.

The Guardian

According to Diogenes Laertius, among the precepts held dear by Chilon of Sparta was that "of the dead, nothing but good" should be spoken.

The New York Times

Sufi leaders in Tunisia say that dozens of sites held dear by their sect have been vandalized in the last year.

The New York Times

As much as this view of parenthood is a fantasy, it is one held dear by both grown-ups and their offspring, including my parents and me.

The New York Times

Is it that Harry Potter adaptation, Minority Report with Tom Cruise, or the futureworld fable AI (a project long held dear by the late, great Stanley Kubrick)?

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

He also believes Democrats have fallen short on traditional family values that Hispanics hold dear, by going too far on issues like gay marriage.

The New York Times

The sleepy Macao that many once held dear is increasingly subsumed by the horn-honking and manic rhythms commonly associated with Hong Kong.

The New York Times

He was also one of the rare characters to have transcended our sport, being held dear as he was by the British public, and also represented the best of us: his charitable endeavours should serve as his finest legacy and a reminder to us all that we should be judged by the manner in which our animals, as well as our people, are looked after".

The Guardian - Sport

Moral panics revolve around a perceived threat to something held dear and almost sacred by society, for which an event, group or subculture is scapegoated (Cohen 2002).

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

During what should have been a pinnacle in the modeling career I'd held dear, I was enraptured and controlled by an eating disorder.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with plural subjects like 'communities', 'activists', or 'constituents' to illustrate shared priorities in social or political writing.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary intensifiers like 'very' or 'highly' immediately before 'dear' in this specific construction. The phrase "held dear by" already carries a strong superlative weight; adding extra adverbs often results in wordiness without adding meaningful emphasis.

Linguistic Context

This is a passive verb phrase consisting of the past participle 'held' followed by the adjective 'dear' functioning as a complement and the preposition 'by' to introduce the agent. According to Ludwig, it functions as a way to attribute deep value to a subject through the perspective of a specific group or individual.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

7%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held dear by" is a sophisticated and grammatically sound way to describe things that are cherished or valued. Ludwig AI confirms its high prevalence in reputable publications like The New York Times and The Guardian, where it is typically used to discuss cultural values, political principles and personal memories. While it is similar to "cherished by", it carries a slightly more formal tone that makes it ideal for editorial and professional writing. Writers should prefer the standard form "held dear by" over 'held dearly by' to maintain idiomatic accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cherished by

Emphasizes a deeper emotional affection or protective care

treasured by

Suggests something is of immense value, similar to a physical treasure

valued by

A more neutral and slightly more professional alternative

held close by

More idiomatic and intimate, often used for personal relationships

esteemed by

Shift the focus to high respect and admiration within a community

prized by

Indicates that the subject is highly sought after or prestigious

venerated by

Much more formal, implying a sense of sacred or historical respect

loved by

The simplest and most direct emotional equivalent

appreciated by

Less intense, focusing on recognition of worth rather than deep affection

guarded by

Highlights the protective nature of holding something dear

FAQs

What does it mean if something is held dear by a person?

It means that the thing is highly valued, cherished, or deeply respected by that individual. You can often use "cherished by" as a synonymous expression.

Is it correct to say held dearly by?

While "held dearly by" is sometimes used, the standard idiomatic form is "held dear by". In this context, 'dear' functions as an object complement or a flat adverb, which is a common feature in established English idioms.

What is a professional alternative to held dear by?

In a more formal or business context, you might prefer to use "valued by" or 'upheld by' if referring to principles or standards.

Can I use held dear by for physical objects?

Yes, but it is more frequently applied to intangible concepts like memories, values, and traditions. For physical items, "treasured by" is a common and effective alternative.