ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Iconoclasm

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /aɪˈkɒnəˌklæzəm/ · Part of speech noun

Quick meaning: Iconoclasm is a noun meaning (figurative) A challenge to a widely held belief, tradition or cherished institution.

Meaning

(figurative) A challenge to a widely held belief, tradition or cherished institution.

More Meanings

  1. The belief in, participation in, or sanction of destroying religious icons and other symbols or monuments, usually with religious or political motives.

Example Sentences

Finally, “iconoclasm” is a form of desecration and shares its general intention to deny the sacred qualities of an image and to demonstrate that it has no power, to prevent it from being treated as an idol or a rival to God.¹⁴ But not all forms of desecration constitute iconoclasm, though iconoclasm is always a form of desecration.

Word Forms

Synonyms for iconoclasm

Depending on context, synonyms include iconomachy, idoloclasm.

Antonyms for iconoclasm

Common opposites include iconodulism.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include totalistic, iconoclast, iconoclasticism, iconoclastism, idoloclast, iconophilism.

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Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.