Iconoclasm
/aɪˈkɒnəˌklæzəm/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
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 synonymsExample
More examples"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."
Etymology
From iconoclast.