icon

noun

ˈī-ˌkän How to pronounce icon (audio)
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in manifestation
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 star
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 image
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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of icon The icon had plenty of superb driving experience under his belt. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 July 2026 Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Rolls-Royce shares over the past five years. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 30 July 2026 In 2011, as part of a TV special, several 11Alive journalists brought their children to the legendary Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn district to interview civil rights icon John Lewis. — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 30 July 2026 Alex Bramall Click the icon to save an image to your account. — Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for icon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for icon
  1. hero
  2. symbol
  3. manifestation
  4. star
  5. image
  6. idol
  7. avatar
  8. celebrity
Noun
  • The Ukrainian president received a bipartisan hero’s welcome in Washington, contrasting with tense previous visits.
    — Isaac Arnsdorf, Washington Post, 29 July 2026
  • With Logout’s punk credentials and Margo XS’s keen ear for self-referential, post-hyperpop production, HARDBODY’s hero’s journey is sarcastically relatable, like getting roasted in the group chat for last night’s shenanigans.
    — Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 29 July 2026
Definition of hero
Noun
  • The city’s income inequality has also widened, and for Jean-François Lejeune, a professor at the University of Miami School of Architecture, the new crop of luxury buildings has become a potent symbol of that growing disparity.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • The finding soon became a national symbol of the region’s ancient history, and is a regular fixture of local souvenir shops, postage stamps, and the Abruzzo coat of arms.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of symbol
Noun
  • The medals are a manifestation of a campaign that included far more good than bad.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • By focusing on changing immutable elements through mind power alone, the manifestation practices of Byrne and Nafousi—which promote aligning visualization with action—entered the world of magical thinking.
    — Daisy Schofield, Allure, 13 July 2026
Definition of manifestation
Noun
  • The ability to walk from your bed to the sand and stare at the sea is the star of the show here.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
  • Founder of the casual sushi bowl favorite Wabi Sabi, Perez Miranda is also the owner of Midorie and Ogawa in Little River, which earned a Michelin star in 2024.
    — Connie Ogle July 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Definition of star
Noun
  • New images circulating online appear to show what defense analysts believe is the fifth prototype of China’s sixth-generation J-36 fighter jet, according to a report.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The island now houses the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, where visitors can search digital images of ship manifests for the immigration records of their relatives.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of image
Noun
  • Still, there’s a reason Inside the Actors Studio ran for 22 seasons and the most fervent alt-rap acolytes are constantly begging their idols to empty their hard drives.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 29 July 2026
  • Veloso has interviewed several groups and idols for our website and social channels, some of which include WONHO and RIIZE.
    — Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 29 July 2026
Definition of idol
Noun
  • Last seen in Moon Knight (2022), where Marc and Steven believed they had been released from Khonshu, though the post-credit scene revealed Jake Lockley remained his avatar.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Since leaving the band the War on Drugs, in 2008, Vile has become a solo avatar for psychedelic guitar music, his rich catalogue easygoing and nonchalant, but also sprawling.
    — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Definition of avatar
Noun
  • Goodtime, originally with celebrity backing from musician Pharrell Williams and entertainment mogul David Grutman, was auctioned off by lenders in a foreclosure action earlier this year.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • Even during the match, cameramen and directors were obsessed with seeking out celebrities.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of celebrity

Browse Nearby Words

icky
icon
iconoclasm
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Icon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/icon. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on icon

Nglish: Translation of icon for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about icon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of élan

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All