variants
also ikons
1
as in heroes
a person who is the object of extreme or uncritical devotion
Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and other icons of pop culture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in symbols
a written or printed mark that is meant to convey information to the reader
the player's remote control is very user-friendly as it doesn't use any icons that you haven't seen a million times before
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in avatars
a visible representation of something abstract (as a quality)
cites Marlene Dietrich as an icon of old-time Hollywood glamour
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in celebrities
a person who is widely known and usually much talked about
a sports bar filled with photos of icons from football, basketball, and baseball
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in depictions
a two dimensional design intended to look like a person or thing
any icon of the Deity is regarded as blasphemous by adherents of that religion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of icons
Founded in 1925, the legendary space has seen everyone from Dolly Parton to Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Garth Brooks and countless other icons deliver career-defining performances.
—
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2025
Past editions have seen icons like Tracey Emin and Sir Peter Blake selling their work to delighted collectors and casual passers-by alike.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
This week, Cardi B makes a bold return, Miley Cyrus taps rock icons Lindsay Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood for a soulful peace offering, and Lola Young leans into her messy chaos.
—Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
In the latest sports history book, 'Got Your Legends,' Mike Greenberg and Paul Hembekides broke down the franchise's biggest icons.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
American icons and products—Rambo in Afghanistan, the Statue of Liberty–esque Goddess of Democracy in Tiananmen Square, McDonald’s and CNN everywhere—seemed seductively omnipresent.
—Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Drawing in countercultural icons like the Grateful Dead and Joan Baez, the bookshop became a hub for Peninsula culture and discourse.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
As the Grand Palais returns, other cultural icons retreat behind scaffolding.
—Lindsey Tramuta, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2025
Opening in 1977, the legendary NYC club was the stomping grounds for the world’s most famous icons.
—Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2025
Past editions have seen icons like Tracey Emin and Sir Peter Blake selling their work to delighted collectors and casual passers-by alike.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
This week, Cardi B makes a bold return, Miley Cyrus taps rock icons Lindsay Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood for a soulful peace offering, and Lola Young leans into her messy chaos.
—Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
In the latest sports history book, 'Got Your Legends,' Mike Greenberg and Paul Hembekides broke down the franchise's biggest icons.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
American icons and products—Rambo in Afghanistan, the Statue of Liberty–esque Goddess of Democracy in Tiananmen Square, McDonald’s and CNN everywhere—seemed seductively omnipresent.
—Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Drawing in countercultural icons like the Grateful Dead and Joan Baez, the bookshop became a hub for Peninsula culture and discourse.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
As the Grand Palais returns, other cultural icons retreat behind scaffolding.
—Lindsey Tramuta, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2025
Opening in 1977, the legendary NYC club was the stomping grounds for the world’s most famous icons.
—Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for icons
Noun
-
Meanwhile, hydrating heroes like hyaluronic acid and glycerin ensure skin stays natural-looking and never cakey.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The episode takes our heroes to a European night club on a black ops mission to intercept an arms dealer.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The report added that Holly made posts on social media displaying his gear, which were decorated with extremist symbols and inspired by equipment used by previous mass shooters.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
-
This year, protest symbols found their way onto the red carpet.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The 100 were chosen from the initial online application stage and participated in the second round in person for a chance to be selected for the company’s virtual K-pop group – avatars powered by select performers' voices, movements, and personalities.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The Show 25, published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, took a more conservative approach to integrating college IP this year, adding eight schools that players can send their avatars to, including LSU, Texas and UCLA.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While there has long been a stereotype that Hollywood is all liberal, plenty of conservative celebrities also routinely make their political opinions known.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The agency, which represents celebrities including Rihanna, Reese Witherspoon and Pharrell Williams, is known for pioneering the integration between brand communications and talent management.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This provision appears to not only ban depictions of trans people but could also potentially be applied to drag queens.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Liu directs heart-expanding, tender performances out of his leads, and the screenplay by Martyna Majok forgoes the maudlin or condescending notes of so many Hollywood depictions of immigration stories.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Alas, King and Conqueror is unwilling to meet its characters on anything but 21st-century terms.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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Since the show's 2019 debut, both characters have carried on their share of steamy affairs, including Alex's relationship with tech billionaire Paul Marks (Jon Hamm) and Bradley's romance with fellow journalist Laura Peterson (Julianna Margulies).—
Beth Sobol,
PEOPLE,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Harem or balloon pants seen in recent collections are a sophisticated evolution from their original bohemian incarnations, featuring cleaner lines, refined fabrics and streamlined silhouettes.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
13 Sep. 2025
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Fans of the songs from the Tambourine album may be pleasantly surprised to hear them in their early acoustic incarnations on Time and Patience.—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Take a look at all the stars out and about this week.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
15 Sep. 2025
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This week's quiz highlights burger bites, sporty stars — and a lot more.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Icons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/icons. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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