as in dissident
deviating from commonly accepted beliefs or practices
the book offers iconoclastic and irreverent portraits of some of history's most sacred cows
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Recent Examples of iconoclastic
Massie’s campaign had erected a large tent there, in anticipation that a big crowd would flock to hear perhaps the most outspoken and iconoclastic Republican in Congress.
—
Joshua Green, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
Phillippe, who has a multi-year deal, will star as a brilliant, iconoclastic detective who moves to Nashville from New York.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2026
And Marc Malkin brings us a Just for Variety interview with John Waters, the iconoclastic director who turns 80 on April 22.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026
By contrast, Lillian’s counterpart and best friend is cast member and former standup comedian Gina Ross, a sarcastic, iconoclastic, in-your-face performer.
—Lee Kelly, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
In the film, middle school teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) is recruited to help save Earth because of his history as a cell biologist with some iconoclastic ideas about life in the universe.
—Tara Haelle, NPR, 12 Apr. 2026
There’s an iconoclastic aspect to her as well, suggesting a challenge to the gods and nature in figuration that is ultimately rejected.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 27 Feb. 2026
The iconoclastic coach who guided the Spurs to the brink of the NBA Finals in 1979 and ranks only behind Gregg Popovich in franchise history in games coached (377) and wins (177), died Tuesday after an illness.
—Mike Monroe, San Antonio Express-News, 17 Feb. 2026
The Bad Plus, the iconoclastic jazz group known for its genre-eschewing approach, will disband in 2026, closing a 26-year chapter of experimentation.
—Marc Schneider, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2026
Joshua Green, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
Phillippe, who has a multi-year deal, will star as a brilliant, iconoclastic detective who moves to Nashville from New York.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2026
And Marc Malkin brings us a Just for Variety interview with John Waters, the iconoclastic director who turns 80 on April 22.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026
By contrast, Lillian’s counterpart and best friend is cast member and former standup comedian Gina Ross, a sarcastic, iconoclastic, in-your-face performer.
—Lee Kelly, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
In the film, middle school teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) is recruited to help save Earth because of his history as a cell biologist with some iconoclastic ideas about life in the universe.
—Tara Haelle, NPR, 12 Apr. 2026
There’s an iconoclastic aspect to her as well, suggesting a challenge to the gods and nature in figuration that is ultimately rejected.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 27 Feb. 2026
The iconoclastic coach who guided the Spurs to the brink of the NBA Finals in 1979 and ranks only behind Gregg Popovich in franchise history in games coached (377) and wins (177), died Tuesday after an illness.
—Mike Monroe, San Antonio Express-News, 17 Feb. 2026
The Bad Plus, the iconoclastic jazz group known for its genre-eschewing approach, will disband in 2026, closing a 26-year chapter of experimentation.
—Marc Schneider, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for iconoclastic
Adjective
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Part of a wave of dissident departures, Carvajal’s defection was akin to a dam breaking, then-US Senator Marco Rubio said at the time.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The government has blamed the attacks on the Jaime Martínez faction, a dissident group of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, operating in the region that did not adhere to the peace accord signed with the state in 2016.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
It’s based on an unconventional true story from recent history, set on the British Isles, with a tone that alternates between humorous and sorrowful before delivering an uplifting and humanist message, with skillfully invisible filmmaking that takes a backseat to the performances and story.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
ZipRecruiter’s 2026 Graduate Report found that more are turning to unconventional jobs right out of college.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Board member Renee Paschall cast the lone dissenting vote on the final package.—
Elizabeth Sander,
San Antonio Express-News,
19 Aug. 2022
-
The document runs to more than a hundred and fifty pages, and for each question there are affirmative and dissenting studies, as well as some that indicate mixed results.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
3 June 2022
Adjective
-
As a performer, these characters are out-there.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
-
That’s why the wake is such an out-there sequence.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Drunkenness, like madness, protects the messengers of heretical truth from disbelief, disdain, and retaliation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This heretical policy gets some support from yet another rigid convention, that of credits, which separates directors from screenwriters.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Iconoclastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/iconoclastic. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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