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
At a recent retrospective for the Gen Z star put on by the American Cinematheque, icons like Denis Villeneuve, Edward Norton and Christopher Nolan showed up in support.
—
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026
To mark the anniversary, Lee commissioned a campaign saturated with icons.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
Once printed, less prurient versions of these portraits would be displayed below the marquee at the Teatro Maipo, like religious icons in a vending machine, on the street-level exterior of the venue.
—Bryan Barcena, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Three film icons — Sidney Poitier, Cicely Tyson and Melvin Van Peebles — will be inducted.
—Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2026
An In Memoriam segment paid tribute to a number of late musical icons, with local hero Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, the former Stone Roses bassist who died in November 2025, recognised by The Charlatans’ frontman Tim Burgess.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2026
Celebrities — from Coldplay’s Chris Martin to actors Tilda Swinton and Demi Moore to pop icons Beyoncé and Madonna — often cite Rumi, described as the bestselling poet in the country.
—Rebecca McCarthy, AJC.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Wedged somewhere between Madonna, Michael Jackson and Prince on the Mount Rushmore of ‘80s pop icons is Boy George.
—Blair R. Fischer, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Often credited with the invention of the stiletto heel in the 1950s, Vivier brought a unique artistic flair to shoe design, influencing fashion icons and major luxury houses alike.
—Shelby Comroe, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026
To mark the anniversary, Lee commissioned a campaign saturated with icons.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
Once printed, less prurient versions of these portraits would be displayed below the marquee at the Teatro Maipo, like religious icons in a vending machine, on the street-level exterior of the venue.
—Bryan Barcena, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Three film icons — Sidney Poitier, Cicely Tyson and Melvin Van Peebles — will be inducted.
—Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2026
An In Memoriam segment paid tribute to a number of late musical icons, with local hero Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, the former Stone Roses bassist who died in November 2025, recognised by The Charlatans’ frontman Tim Burgess.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2026
Celebrities — from Coldplay’s Chris Martin to actors Tilda Swinton and Demi Moore to pop icons Beyoncé and Madonna — often cite Rumi, described as the bestselling poet in the country.
—Rebecca McCarthy, AJC.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Wedged somewhere between Madonna, Michael Jackson and Prince on the Mount Rushmore of ‘80s pop icons is Boy George.
—Blair R. Fischer, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Often credited with the invention of the stiletto heel in the 1950s, Vivier brought a unique artistic flair to shoe design, influencing fashion icons and major luxury houses alike.
—Shelby Comroe, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for icons
Noun
-
Here is the defender in action, protecting humanity against harm, while reminding us of Marvel’s own genesis in the bold stories of its Nazi-busting heroes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
-
All Dickens heroes are complete nonentities who know 217 wacky people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Targets in the Israeli campaign included Iran’s military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack.—
Jon Gambrell,
Fortune,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Iran’s military, symbols of government and intelligence sites were targeted, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
An equally strong argument could be made that the dementia was the real cause because his actions are manifestations of his condition.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The result is a joyful and naturalistic celebration of the term’s many meanings and manifestations.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
More recently, social media has allowed people even more direct access to celebrities, blurring the lines between one-sided and reciprocal interactions.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Clinton also appeared in a number of pictures released in the Epstein files with celebrities or in more casual surroundings with the faces of women redacted.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The spokesperson also responded with names and pictures of several men from Los Angeles who have been taken into custody by ICE and convicted of serious crimes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
His Instagram account showed pictures of snowy backdrops and time spent with family and friends.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As the youngest member of BLACKPINK, Lisa has been shipped with many idols.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Fans have voted on idols, challenges, advantages, tribe swaps, tribal colors, and even whether or not castaways will get rice during their 26-day competition.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Satellite images and videos reveal dozens of targets of strikes on Iran, including the Tehran compound of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.—
Imogen Piper,
Washington Post,
2 Mar. 2026
-
At the same time, as images of first strikes on the UAE started to circulate Saturday, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships carried on as scheduled with finals, although a number of players are now stuck in the country waiting for flights to resume.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During the final stretch of 2025, Tien reached Beijing’s China Open final, captured his maiden tour title at Metz, France, and closed the season by winning the Next Gen ATP Finals (for top players 20-and-younger) — results that marked him as one of the tour’s fastest-rising young stars.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Portside Wood Round Dining Table Set For dining under the sun or stars, this elevated dining set checks all the boxes.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Icons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/icons. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
