variants also ikon
Definition of iconnext
1
as in hero
a person who is the object of extreme or uncritical devotion Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and other icons of pop culture

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2
as in symbol
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

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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 icon Rather than reproducing Monroe’s public mythology, Oates invents a fictional interior life for Norma Jeane Baker, exploring the psychological cost of becoming a cultural icon. Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026 Here's everything to know about the death of the television and comedy icon, Phil Hartman. Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026 The 28-year-old reality icon took to Instagram on Monday to announce the latest drop for her fashion label, Khy. Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026 She was recently seen filming in Venice, Italy, alongside Julia Garner, who was supposed to portray the pop icon in a biopic that was ultimately scuttled. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for icon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for icon
Noun
  • Cecil The hero of Final Fantasy IV, Cecil is an expert swordsman.
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Devereaux receives a hero’s welcome back home, but his irrational and violent behavior threatens his new livelihood, as does the knowledge of his cowardice held by Capt.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But during the unfolding of the historical lunar flyby mission — the first human moon visit in nearly 54 years — Rise also became a symbol far beyond serving as a demonstration of when Integrity left Earth's gravity.
    Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Giving appreciation to your own smile when the symbol of loneliness looks like a dirty mirror.
    Yesika Salgado, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Within the parameters of a game—where non-player characters essentially function as different disguises for, and manifestations of, a single narrative engine—such paranoia might not be unjustified.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Its arrival in this sizzling Fire sign shifts the tone from dreamy introversion to active manifestation.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But Cukor, who hit his thirty-year up-or-out deadline without getting a star, had long since been removed to lucrative work in the private sector.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Sox fans are still waiting on Munetaka Murakami, the Japanese star whose slugging was going to make the fireworks budget increase exponentially, to start hitting with some regularity.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Crew shares first images of Earth from capsule An image of Earth taken by Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman inside the Orion capsule on April 3, 2026.
    Mark Osborne, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • There’s nothing fancy about a big, square screen that sits upstage of the circular playing area, but the subtlety in which the images and mood flows through the screen greatly enhance the storytelling.
    David John Chávez, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Yet when the lights come up and the idols of her youth begin to sing, something is unlocked.
    Danielle Parker, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • No wonder Trump, who wants to erect idols to himself like a Canaanite king, is so upset.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Imagination freed his spirit from his form, creating avatars far away from this one existence.
    Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The movie calls him the Lost Man, a bid for everyman philosophical relevance, and Ninomiya is indeed a sympathetic avatar.
    Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Icon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/icon. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.

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