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 manifestations
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 pictures
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 icons
Finally, toolbars are becoming more consistent, and the distracting icons in drop-down menus are quietly disappearing.
—
Edward Mendelson, PC Magazine, 10 June 2026
Such renowned cultural icons such as rappers Flo Rida and Rick Ross call the neighborhood their home.
—Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
Since 2015, the hotel has been a jewel of the Oetker Collection, whose portfolio includes icons such as Le Bristol Paris and the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026
He’s known for his work with top brands — including Versace, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Cartier, and Donna Karan — and alongside other fashion icons like Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 June 2026
To cap off the evening, Tim McGraw added to the excitement by bringing out Lainey Wilson for a moment that felt like a proverbial passing-of-the-torch between two generations of country icons.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026
The event, hosted by Chanel and attended by a multitude of stars/fashion icons including Teyana Taylor, Keke Palmer, and Ayo Edebiri, naturally delivered a covetable high-fashion dress code.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 9 June 2026
On macOS, Apple has also changed the way app toolbars and sidebars work, making toolbars more distinct, making the contents of sidebars extend all the way to the edge of the window, and reintroducing color to sidebar icons.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 8 June 2026
This year, the 25th installment that runs June 3-14 throughout New York City, boasts a tremendous music slate with icons including Madonna, Earth, Wind & Fire and Peter Frampton premiering music films.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Edward Mendelson, PC Magazine, 10 June 2026
Such renowned cultural icons such as rappers Flo Rida and Rick Ross call the neighborhood their home.
—Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
Since 2015, the hotel has been a jewel of the Oetker Collection, whose portfolio includes icons such as Le Bristol Paris and the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026
He’s known for his work with top brands — including Versace, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Cartier, and Donna Karan — and alongside other fashion icons like Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 June 2026
To cap off the evening, Tim McGraw added to the excitement by bringing out Lainey Wilson for a moment that felt like a proverbial passing-of-the-torch between two generations of country icons.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026
The event, hosted by Chanel and attended by a multitude of stars/fashion icons including Teyana Taylor, Keke Palmer, and Ayo Edebiri, naturally delivered a covetable high-fashion dress code.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 9 June 2026
On macOS, Apple has also changed the way app toolbars and sidebars work, making toolbars more distinct, making the contents of sidebars extend all the way to the edge of the window, and reintroducing color to sidebar icons.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 8 June 2026
This year, the 25th installment that runs June 3-14 throughout New York City, boasts a tremendous music slate with icons including Madonna, Earth, Wind & Fire and Peter Frampton premiering music films.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for icons
Noun
-
Moscow rarely punishes its soldiers in Ukraine for committing crimes, portraying them as national heroes at home.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
-
In the upcoming season, the Hawkins heroes are on the hunt for Vecna, the show’s antagonist.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Bull and bear symbols for successful and bad trading are seen in front of the German stock exchange (Deutsche Boerse) in Frankfurt, Germany, February 12, 2019.—
Tasmin Lockwood,Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
9 Dec. 2025
-
Top Picks The personalization options are vast—from different fonts and designs to text color and various symbols—and the fee is usually a flat $15.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The Cane Ridge Revival would become an epochal moment in American religious history, one of the most visible manifestations of what historians would later refer to as the Second Great Awakening.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
-
Meanwhile, here are some other Bay Area manifestations of the Miles/Coltrane centennial.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The celebrities who Irish users were most curious about were Ronaldo, Swift and Lionel Messi.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
11 Dec. 2025
-
The brand also launched high-profile campaigns with Indian celebrities like Diljit Dosanjh and Alia Bhatt.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
American strikes destroyed what appears to be drinking water infrastructureon Iran’s southern coast early Wednesday, according to videos and pictures shared by Iranian media and geolocated by NBC News.—
Sarah Dean,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
The festival Thursday had a family-friendly vibe, with everyone taking pictures and enjoying time together, said Maria Botchatcher.—
Zuri Primos
June 11,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The woman's phone is encased in an undulating rubbery glitter sculpture with tiny portraits of K-pop idols suspended inside.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
-
Baoase is also transporting, as any memorable hotel should be, with a strong Asian-esque design that includes ubiquitous Balinese Hindu statues, idols, and sculptures, and a reliance on simplicity over dazzle.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Ukraine’s emergency services said a fire had affected 800 square meters of the roof of the Dormition Cathedral, and released images that showed damage to the building.—
Victoria Butenko,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
The six-week trial concluded in March after testimony from multiple accusers and presentation of evidence, including messages, images and videos from Høiby’s cellphone.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The reality stars' Newport Beach home was broken into earlier this week as the couple vacationed with their family in Mexico.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
The Basque Country is a region that glitters with Michelin stars.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Icons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/icons. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
