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
Even though Shane and Ilya don’t suddenly become public and proud gay hockey icons like Scott Hunter by the end of the season, Tierney still manages to fulfill the compensatory and combative requirements of the romance genre through two moving declarations of love.
—
Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
What they haven’t traditionally been known as, though, are fashion icons, at least not until recently.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Since their inception in 1990, the Restaurant and Chef Awards have made icons out of the nation’s top restaurant and bar professionals.
—Cassie Armstrong, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026
Datskovska frequently covers must-shop footwear seen on icons the likes of Steph Curry.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026
Even icons such as Sugarland's Kristian Bush offered insightful takes on his creative process and what makes a hit, a hit.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
In classic early-'80s fashion, both icons sport tight, spiraled, permed curls, while Parton’s signature long red acrylic fingernails extend over Richards' open hand.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 19 Jan. 2026
With him, not only does one of the last great icons of fashion leave us, but arguably also a personality who shaped the fashion world in his own image.
—Francesco Martino, Glamour, 19 Jan. 2026
As a result, noodle makers have leaned into K-pop’s global reach, signing popular ambassadors and icons to increase their overseas appeal.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
What they haven’t traditionally been known as, though, are fashion icons, at least not until recently.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Since their inception in 1990, the Restaurant and Chef Awards have made icons out of the nation’s top restaurant and bar professionals.
—Cassie Armstrong, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026
Datskovska frequently covers must-shop footwear seen on icons the likes of Steph Curry.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026
Even icons such as Sugarland's Kristian Bush offered insightful takes on his creative process and what makes a hit, a hit.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
In classic early-'80s fashion, both icons sport tight, spiraled, permed curls, while Parton’s signature long red acrylic fingernails extend over Richards' open hand.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 19 Jan. 2026
With him, not only does one of the last great icons of fashion leave us, but arguably also a personality who shaped the fashion world in his own image.
—Francesco Martino, Glamour, 19 Jan. 2026
As a result, noodle makers have leaned into K-pop’s global reach, signing popular ambassadors and icons to increase their overseas appeal.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for icons
Noun
-
And then Alex is like all of Emily’s heroes.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Inside, the walls are lined with photos of local sports heroes—from youth leagues to the Tigers and the Grizzlies.—
Matt Moore,
Southern Living,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The event featured some confusion around symbols.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Ancient petroglyphs of human figures and cryptic symbols thought to have been scrawled by the Taino, the islands’ pre-Columbian inhabitants, appeared under our flashlight beams.—
Henry Wismayer,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
On the choruses, SZA’s voice floats in from the back, sharing manifestations and advice.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Gold is a color associated with luxury, luminosity, and celebration—ideal for the holidays and all your New Year manifestations.—
Andrea Carbajal,
Glamour,
13 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The basics brand is known for their chic pointelle and is co-signed by Hailey Bieber, among other celebrities.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
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One of the world's biggest globe-hopping celebrities has moved to Atlanta, and CBS News Atlanta has a sneak peek at his arrival.—
Brian Unger,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To wrap up 2025 and her first full year as a pro athlete, Clark shared a collage of pictures, including an adorable one with her boyfriend.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The camera gets pictures and video of coyotes multiple times a week, Routh said.—
Kendrick Calfee
Updated January 22,
Kansas City Star,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To celebrate the milestone season, Survivor fans will be getting their hands dirty while searching for idols.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
19 Jan. 2026
-
Ayala comes from the Portland Timbers and considers Mascherano one of his idols and mentors.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As night fell, a crowd gathered at the site of the shooting in a residential area of the city's Central neighborhood, aerial TV images showed.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
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Further images show Ryder enjoying a cocktail and spending time with his little sister, Rani, who Hudson welcomed in 2018 with her fiancé, Danny Fujikawa.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Though the series has been a hit for Netflix and made stars of its cast, rumors of tension, conflict, and discord have followed the cast.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Jan. 2026
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The unique treehouses couldn't be more romantic—lit by lanterns, candles, the stars and the moon.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Icons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/icons. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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