iconoclast

[ ahy-kon-uh-klast ]

noun

1. a person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, etc., as being based on error or superstition.

   Synonyms: radical, dissenter, rebel, nonconformist

2. a breaker or destroyer of images, especially those set up for religious veneration.

iconoclast

/ aɪˈkɒnəˌklæst /

noun

1. a person who attacks established or traditional concepts, principles, laws, etc
2. 1. a destroyer of religious images or sacred objects
   2. an adherent of the heretical movement within the Greek Orthodox Church from 725 to 842 ad , which aimed at the destruction of icons and religious images

Derived Forms

• iˌconoˈclastically, adverb
• iˌconoˈclastic, adjective

Other Words From

• i·cono·clastic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of iconoclast¹

1590–1600; < Medieval Latin īconoclastēs < Medieval Greek eikonoklástēs, equivalent to Greek eikono- icono- + -klastēs breaker, equivalent to klas- (variant stem of klân to break) + -tēs agent noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of iconoclast¹

C16: from Late Latin iconoclastes, from Late Greek eikonoklastes , from eikōn icon + klastēs breaker

Example Sentences

Early in the 20th century, French iconoclast Marcel Duchamp described a new “scientific spirit” for avant-garde art, noting the methodical painterly investigations of predecessors Georges Seurat and Paul Cézanne.

From Los Angeles Times

And while it’s a tad surprising that Brazilian-Algerian art-house iconoclast Karim Aïnouz’s first English-language feature is a costume drama about English royals, it does sport two compelling stars in Alicia Vikander as protofeminist Katherine, and an almost unrecognizably heavy-set Jude Law as the Tudor tyrant.

From Los Angeles Times

Greenfield called Jackson an “iconoclast,” and this contrarian spirit is integral to an artist who is dubious of sacred cows.

From Los Angeles Times

He would be sharing that evening’s program with five other choreographers, including the Baroque dancer Catherine Turocy, the Merce Cunningham acolyte Kenneth King and the postmodern-ballet iconoclast Donald Byrd.

From New York Times

If there was a message that he wanted to convey, perhaps it was a criticism of Australia’s tendency to denigrate the iconoclast, to tear down the bolder, more creative collaborator — to see sticking together and staying roughly the same as everyone else, even if that means hovering in mediocrity, as the best way to live in Australia, and in general.

From New York Times