Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Destructive of images used in religious worship: Pertaining to the destruction of religious icons or images, especially as a principle of certain religions or movements.
   • Characterized by attack on established beliefs or institutions: Describing a person, idea, or action that challenges, criticizes, or seeks to overthrow traditional or widely accepted doctrines, customs, or institutions.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective (Religious context):

  • The iconoclastic movement in the 8th century led to the destruction of many religious artworks.
  • Some iconoclastic sects prohibit any form of figurative representation in places of worship.

• Adjective (Figurative/Secular context):

  • Her iconoclastic views on education challenged the university's centuries-old traditions.
  • The filmmaker is known for his iconoclastic approach to classic storytelling techniques.

Advanced Usage

• Iconoclastic fervor/zeal: Intense enthusiasm for attacking established ideas.
  • He pursued scientific reform with an iconoclastic zeal that upset many of his peers.
• Iconoclastic stance/position: A declared attitude of opposition to tradition.
  • The critic's iconoclastic stance made her both famous and controversial.

Variants and Related Words

• Iconoclasm (n): The action or spirit of attacking cherished beliefs or institutions; the destruction of religious images.
  • His book was an act of intellectual iconoclasm.
• Iconoclast (n): A person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions; a destroyer of religious images.
  • She was considered an iconoclast in the world of classical music.

Synonyms

• Nonconformist: A person whose behavior or views do not conform to prevailing ideas or practices.
• Radical: Advocating for thorough or complete political or social reform.
• Heretical: Characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards.
• Subversive: Seeking or intended to undermine an established system or institution.

Antonyms

• Orthodox: Conforming to what is generally or traditionally accepted as right or true.
• Conventional: Based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed.
• Traditional: Existing in or as part of a tradition; long-established.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To be an iconoclast: To habitually challenge established norms.
  • In the corporate world, he chose to be an iconoclast, constantly proposing disruptive ideas.
• A spirit of iconoclasm: An attitude favoring the criticism of traditions.
  • A spirit of iconoclasm pervaded the artistic community during that era.

Adjective

1. destructive of images used in religious worship; said of religions, such as Islam, in which the representation of living things is prohibited
2. characterized by attack on established beliefs or institutions