Synonyms of icon

icon

noun

ˈī-ˌkän 

variants also ikon

1

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hero
• idol
• classic
• model
• god
• paragon
• ideal
• exemplar
• nonpareil
• beau ideal

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• symbol
• character
• sign
• glyph
• letter
• numeral
• cipher
• hieroglyph
• pictogram
• rune
• pictograph
• ideogram

3

as in avatar

a visible representation of something abstract (as a quality)

cites Marlene Dietrich as an icon of old-time Hollywood glamour

Synonyms & Similar Words

• avatar
• incarnation
• image
• abstract
• manifestation
• personification
• incorporation
• instantiation
• embodiment
• objectification
• externalization
• epitome
• personifier
• genius
• essence
• embodier
• paradigm
• actualization
• personalization
• realization
• exemplification
• substantiation
• model
• archetype
• concretization
• quintessence
• exemplar
• soul
• reincarnation
• pattern

4

as in star

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

• star
• celebrity
• personality
• hero
• name
• superstar
• light
• somebody
• personage
• luminary
• celeb
• notable
• cause célèbre
• megastar
• notoriety
• dignitary
• figure
• VIP
• standout
• notability
• cause celebre
• idol
• favorite
• heartthrob
• monument
• pillar
• worthy
• eminence
• mogul
• demigod
• immortal
• magnate
• baron
• bigwig
• nabob
• kahuna
• panjandrum
• big shot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nobody
• has-been
• lightweight
• mediocrity
• noncelebrity

5

as in image

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

• image
• depiction
• representation
• illustration
• portrait
• likeness
• picture
• resemblance
• caricature
• view
• drawing
• silhouette
• sketch
• photograph
• delineation
• cartoon
• diagram
• watercolor
• etching
• collage
• montage
• doodle
• finger painting
• daub
• hieroglyph
• pictograph
• ideograph
• ideogram
• hieroglyphic

Examples of icon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Diego Maradona Soccer icon Diego Maradona was honored with a striking statue bearing a golden left foot by former club Napoli in 2022 on what would have been his 62nd birthday – Maradona died in 2020. —Sam Joseph, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024

What now, if their leading scorer, spiritual leader and franchise icon is forced to miss time? —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2024

The resurrection of the Universal monster franchise toiled in development hell for decades, with genre icons like George Romero and Clive Barker attached at various points. —Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 26 Oct. 2024

If classics are her best friend, try Tiffany’s split bone ring in silver for an original icon. —Daisy Shaw-Ellis, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2024