iconoclast — a person who attacks or criticizes cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, or popular ideas
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a person who attacks or criticizes cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, or popular ideas
Pronunciation (IPA): /aɪˈkɑːnəklæst/
Example Sentences
- The young CEO was an iconoclast who banned suits and ties in the boardroom.
- As a literary iconoclast, she wrote novels that challenged conventional storytelling.
- The professor's iconoclastic teaching methods shocked traditional educators.
iconoclast
NOUN[/aɪˈkɑːnəklæst/]
a person who attacks or criticizes cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, or popular ideas
While the crowd bowed deeply to the golden statue, the bold iconoclast swung a heavy hammer to smash it into pieces.
ICON(idol) + CLAST(breaker) — stepping up as the ultimate CLAST(breaker) of the old ICON(idol), he became history's greatest iconoclast.
Using a massive dynamite blast, the fearless iconoclast brought down the outdated monument.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Greek 'eikon' (image) and 'klastes' (breaker), referring to those who broke religious images during the Iconoclastic Controversy in 8th-9th century Byzantine Christianity. Later extended metaphorically to mean someone who challenges established beliefs.
Breakdown
icon- (Greek eikon, image) + -o- (combining vowel) + -clast (Greek klastes, breaker) = iconoclast (one who breaks images/challenges beliefs)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The young CEO was an iconoclast who banned suits and ties in the boardroom.”
“As a literary iconoclast, she wrote novels that challenged conventional storytelling.”
“The professor's iconoclastic teaching methods shocked traditional educators.”
“Even grandma became an iconoclast when she started her TikTok channel at 80.”
📚Related Words
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