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.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of icons
That lineage comes through in their ungovernable guitar noodling, inspired by underground icons NRBQ and Bottle Rockets, and a boisterous energy befitting of drunken basement shows.
—
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
The docu-film features appearances from collaborators, cultural icons, and those closest to him.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
This agreement is cost-effective, creates a sustainable home for our horsemen, and ensures that the Preakness Stakes and Maryland racing remain global icons of excellence for generations to come.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Reflecting on nine seasons of taking world leaders and icons into the brush, Grylls shared his biggest takeaway.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
For stars including Teyana Taylor, Dove Cameron, JADE and Megan Moroney, the opportunity to try on the heels of musical icons and heroes Janet Jackson, Cher, Madonna and Dolly Parton (respectively) was too fun to miss.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
These pieces are not merely accessories but wearable icons of Italian genius — designed to be lived in, stacked and adapted to the individual.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
Crowded on the mantel below the map are portraits and silhouettes of Black icons, among them the Liberian theologian Alexander Crummell and the British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
—Laura E. Helton, Literary Hub, 20 Apr. 2026
The annual award show spotlights celebrities, influencers and icons from across the entertainment and media industries who’ve made an impact on Black culture.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
The docu-film features appearances from collaborators, cultural icons, and those closest to him.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
This agreement is cost-effective, creates a sustainable home for our horsemen, and ensures that the Preakness Stakes and Maryland racing remain global icons of excellence for generations to come.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Reflecting on nine seasons of taking world leaders and icons into the brush, Grylls shared his biggest takeaway.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
For stars including Teyana Taylor, Dove Cameron, JADE and Megan Moroney, the opportunity to try on the heels of musical icons and heroes Janet Jackson, Cher, Madonna and Dolly Parton (respectively) was too fun to miss.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
These pieces are not merely accessories but wearable icons of Italian genius — designed to be lived in, stacked and adapted to the individual.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
Crowded on the mantel below the map are portraits and silhouettes of Black icons, among them the Liberian theologian Alexander Crummell and the British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
—Laura E. Helton, Literary Hub, 20 Apr. 2026
The annual award show spotlights celebrities, influencers and icons from across the entertainment and media industries who’ve made an impact on Black culture.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for icons
Noun
-
There’s this Swedish actor, Ernst-Hugo Järegård, who was one of my heroes.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Finally, royal jelly—yet another one of nature’s anti-aging heroes—spurs the production of collagen, thus restoring a youthful bounce to aging skin.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Voters will face a jumbo-sized ballot featuring candidates' photos and party symbols, a longstanding practice in a society historically marked by low literacy levels.—
Simeon Tegel,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
-
It is made entirely from gold sheets and ornately decorated with protective symbols.—
Ryan Brennan
April 10,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These multiple manifestations of the same background body can take circular arrangements, or Einstein Rings, and can also appear as rarer Einstein Crosses.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Within the parameters of a game—where non-player characters essentially function as different disguises for, and manifestations of, a single narrative engine—such paranoia might not be unjustified.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Keep scrolling to shop more slacks inspired by celebrities below.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
-
There's still an air of bygone glamour; more than 200 black-and-white photos of celebrities who've graced the place line the walls, and the bar is still used as an occasional movie location.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Wheatley has always had a decent handle on atmosphere, and Normal definitely possesses more of a sense of location than other pictures of its ilk.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
-
In May 2025, CACC posted pictures to its social media pages showing lines of people turning in stray animals or surrendering their pets to city shelters.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
No wonder Trump, who wants to erect idols to himself like a Canaanite king, is so upset.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Yet when the lights come up and the idols of her youth begin to sing, something is unlocked.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These images are easy to fake or are displayed on fraudulent websites controlled by the scammer.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
During that texting period, between April 6 and April 17, Buetikofer made several attempts to move the conversation to Snapchat, requested images of the student and suggested meeting in person.—
Alicia Fabbre,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the 2024-25 season, the Sixers went 24-58 as the team dealt with injuries to their three biggest stars in Joel Embiid, Maxey and George.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The cast includes returning stars Bryan Cranston, Frankie Muniz, Jane Kaczmarek, Christopher Kennedy Masterson, Justin Berfield and Emy Coligado, alongside newcomers Keeley Karsten, Vaughan Murrae, Kiana Madeira and Caleb Ellsworth-Clark.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Icons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/icons. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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