What does "iconoclasm" mean?
The belief in, participation in, or sanction of destroying religious icons and other symbols or monuments, usually with religious or political motives.
Iconoclasm
/aɪˈkɒnəˌklæzəm/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The belief in, participation in, or sanction of destroying religious icons and other symbols or monuments, usually with religious or political motives.
- Grammar: iconoclasm is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: belief challenge, dogma critique, image destruction, image prohibition.
- Useful contrasts: iconolatry, iconophilia, idiolatry.
- Usage evidence: 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.
How to use "iconoclasm"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
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Definition decision workflow
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The belief in, participation in, or sanction of destroying religious icons and other symbols or monuments, usually with religious or political motives. countable, uncountable
"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."
- 2 the orientation of an iconoclast wordnet
- 3 A challenge to a widely held belief, tradition or cherished institution. countable, figuratively, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonyms belief challengedogma critiqueimage destructionimage prohibitionintellectual dissenttradition critique
Example
"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."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "iconoclasm"?
Common synonyms include: belief challenge, dogma critique, image destruction, image prohibition, intellectual dissent, tradition critique.
How do you use "iconoclasm" in a sentence?
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.
How do you pronounce "iconoclasm"?
Pronounced /aɪˈkɒnəˌklæzəm/.
Etymology
From iconoclast.