Synonyms of icons

icons

noun

variants also ikons

plural of icon

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

• heroes
• idols
• gods
• models
• classics
• ideals
• paragons
• nonpareils
• exemplars
• beau ideals

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

• symbols
• signs
• glyphs
• letters
• characters
• numerals
• pictographs
• ciphers
• hieroglyphs
• pictograms
• runes
• ideograms

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

• manifestations
• images
• avatars
• incarnations
• abstracts
• essences
• personifications
• models
• objectifications
• incorporations
• instantiations
• externalizations
• embodiments
• geniuses
• personifiers
• epitomes
• embodiers
• personalizations
• realizations
• paradigms
• souls
• actualizations
• exemplifications
• reincarnations
• archetypes
• concretizations
• substantiations
• patterns
• exemplars
• quintessences

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

• celebrities
• stars
• personalities
• figures
• heroes
• superstars
• dignitaries
• notables
• names
• celebs
• luminaries
• personages
• VIPs
• lights
• notabilities
• standouts
• idols
• favorites
• megastars
• somebodies
• causes célèbres
• notorieties
• monuments
• pillars
• immortals
• worthies
• eminences
• magnates
• heartthrobs
• demigods
• bigwigs
• moguls
• big shots
• barons
• nabobs
• kahunas
• panjandrums

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nobodies
• mediocrities
• lightweights
• noncelebrities
• has-beens

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

• pictures
• illustrations
• portraits
• depictions
• images
• representations
• likenesses
• drawings
• photographs
• resemblances
• views
• silhouettes
• watercolors
• caricatures
• sketches
• etchings
• diagrams
• delineations
• collages
• cartoons
• hieroglyphics
• hieroglyphs
• doodles
• pictographs
• daubs
• montages
• finger paintings
• ideograms
• ideographs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of icons

When measured against the modern perimeter icons who preceded him, James beats Jordan and Bryant on points scored, Magic Johnson on assists dished and Larry Bird on titles won. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Hakim, a genre chameleon who has performed as a sideman for Adrianne Lenker, made a record with the jazz saxophonist Roy Nathanson, and been sampled by T-Pain, has also claimed minimalist icons Steve Reich and Terry Riley as influences. — Mitch Therieau, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026

Tunes across genres rotate on the vinyl record player, from uninterrupted plays of '90s R&B icons to contemporary house beats. — Usa Today Network, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Atlanta music icons Killer Mike, Dallas Austin, Lloyd, Yung Joc, D4L and Dem Franchize Boyz will all be featured next month at RenderATL, a technology conference that has created a distinctive mix of tech and Atlanta culture. — Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 29 July 2026

Host Karina Longworth strips away the sanitized studio myths of Old Hollywood, offering meticulously researched, creative nonfiction that portrays famous icons as relatable, flawed human beings rather than untouchable legends. — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

The stoner icons played by Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith will star in a new video game called Jay and Silent Bob’s Joint Venture. — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 2026

Users can remap them to other Codex functions and replace the keycaps with matching icons from the additional set included with the device. — New Atlas, 25 July 2026

The Howard University alumnus portrayed Black icons Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall and James Brown on the big screen. — Lindsay Good, NBC news, 23 July 2026