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

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

Tang and co-founder Joe Hollier noted the OS is designed to be less stimulating, from its monochrome appearance to the launcher that simply displays a list of tools rather than expressive app icons. — New Atlas, 22 July 2026

Much like its Phnom Penh counterpart, the hotel has long been a sanctuary for international icons ranging from Charlie Chaplin and Charles de Gaulle to Jacqueline Kennedy, Princess Margaret, Michelle Obama, and Angelina Jolie. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 July 2026

There are races through history and races through nature—this is a run through superlatives and icons. — Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Jimothy, Seattle’s viral raccoon mascot, has officially earned an honor usually reserved for the most elite athletes, celebrities, world leaders and cultural icons – the bobblehead treatment. — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 21 July 2026

Fashion icons like Jennifer Aniston, Oprah, and Anne Hathaway know good sneakers, and Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale has several of their favorite pairs up to 60 percent off, including everyday Adidas sneakers and Hoka running shoes. — Emma Greene, InStyle, 20 July 2026

Apple Music's layout features large, eye-catching icons that invite you to explore the service, whether in a browser or an app. — Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 20 July 2026

The 11-minute extravaganza managed to stuff in performances from a long list of musical icons as the teams from Argentina and Spain prepared to lock in for the second half of the tournament’s final game. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026