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Glite Dictionary
ambonoclast

ambonoclast

9.9
A person who questions or opposes long-held beliefs and traditions
  • noun
  • /æmˈboʊnəˌklæst/
translation icon : ambonoclasta
  • As an ambonoclast, he often questioned the validity of traditional customs at every gathering.

Examples

  • The committee was surprised by the ambonoclast's willingness to challenge long-held assumptions.

  • In academic circles, being an ambonoclast can foster new ways of thinking.

  • An ambonoclast often questions societal norms.

  • Many consider her an ambonoclast for her views on education.

  • As an ambonoclast, she frequently challenged the ideas that had been accepted for generations.

  • His reputation as an ambonoclast grew as he openly opposed established beliefs in his writings.

  • The ambonoclast sparked a lively debate by questioning the traditions that others took for granted.

Synonyms

revisionist
vsambonoclast
20 7.9

A person who wants to change common political or historical beliefs

opposes traditions broadly rather than mainly reinterpreting past views
heretic
vsambonoclast
  • Formal
19 8.8

A person who holds beliefs that go against accepted religious teaching

opposes traditions by challenging them publicly rather than only holding different views
iconoclast
vsambonoclast
  • Formal
6 9.6

A person who strongly criticizes common beliefs or institutions

opposes traditions broadly rather than focusing on symbolic destruction
heresiarch
vsambonoclast
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A person who starts or leads religious ideas that many people reject

opposes traditions widely but is not focused on leadership or founding movements
polemist
vsambonoclast
  • Formal
9.9

A person who argues strongly in writing about religion or ideas

opposes beliefs through action rather than through written debate
revisionary
vsambonoclast
8.8

A person who argues for changing accepted ideas or views

opposes traditions generally instead of focusing on scholarly revision
aberrator
vsambonoclast
9.9

A person who disagrees with common ideas or rules

opposes traditions by active challenge rather than merely differing noticeably
nonorthodox
vsambonoclast
8.2

A person who does not follow usual ideas or ways

opposes traditions with active resistance rather than simple difference in belief

Antonyms

conformist
2 5.7

A person who follows rules and usual ways instead of trying new ideas

Surface Forms

ambonoclast singular
ambonoclasts plural

Etymology

Ambonoclast comes from the Greek parts ambon meaning 'pulpit' and -clast meaning 'breaker', as in the word iconoclast. So an ambonoclast is someone who 'breaks' or attacks public teachings and long traditions, which is why it means a person who challenges established beliefs.