variants also ikon
Definition of iconnext
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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 The rapper and fashion icon, who reached near-billionaire status ahead of his trial, is serving his sentence at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey, roughly 40 miles from Philadelphia. Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026 Gisèle Pelicot ignited a rousing among feminists, acquired the status of something of an icon. Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026 Flags were lowered to half-staff in South Carolina Monday where Jackson, a native son and civil rights icon, became only the second Black man in history to lie in repose inside the state capitol. Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026 Hollywood icon — and, semi-coincidentally, the Golden State’s 38th governor — Arnold Schwarzenegger will be inducted alongside his action-comedy co-star Jamie Lee Curtis during a ceremony this month. Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for icon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for icon
Noun
  • Armed with lanterns, loyalty, and very little logic, these unlikely heroes blunder their way to a happy conclusion for all.
    Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Our awkward hero copes with grief through humor while navigating relationships with her type-A sister (Sian Clifford), her nasty stepmother (Olivia Colman), and, in season 2, a hot priest (Andrew Scott).
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In a January letter to the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, the Rabbinical Council of America warned that the use of Jewish symbols by non-Jewish clergy could create confusion in the military chaplaincy system.
    Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Last week, the Princess of Wales paid a visit to Leicester to celebrate the city’s Indian community, where she was presented with a rose garland—a symbol of respect and honour in Indian culture—that was also strung with pearls.
    Laura Hawkins, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The vocal and physical manifestations of the characters must become second nature.
    Sarah Sotoodeh , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Thao Nguyen Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian welcomed Mojtaba Khamenei as the country's new supreme leader, saying his appointment is the manifestation of Iran's will to strengthen national unity.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Once inside, the Euphoria star was photographed with a slim gold band on her wedding finger.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2026
  • If that role is on the bench, be a star there.
    Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The machine scanned the skull using bright, nondestructive X-rays, generating over 9,000 high-resolution images and terabytes of data.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
  • An investigation by the Bakersfield Police Department also led to separate charges citing Mays for possession of more than 600 images of youth or child pornography and distribution of obscene matter involving someone younger than 18.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • However, the best part of this entire charade was not Devens hiding a fake idol at Tribal Council.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
  • There’s a scene in which Frank meets his own idol, an alt-world version of Fred Astaire (played by Gyllenhaal’s brother Jake, who is good at mugging and singing), and vomits his fandom at him until the actor recoils.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Ultimately, many of these books’ characters are portrayed as avatars of resentment and disaffection, men who seem to fall prey to the rigid vision of masculinity dispensed by real-life adherents to the manosphere.
    Eric Magnuson, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Friedmann talked compulsively about one of his avatars, a thief rogue.
    James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Speaking of celebrity picks, the Harlee Shoulder Bag was named among Oprah’s Favorite Things of 2025.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 8 Mar. 2026
  • That rare child actor to evolve into an indomitable leading man, Bale is notoriously dismissive of celebrity.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Icon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/icon. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

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