Skip to main content
to iconize

to iconize

7.9
To make a person or thing seem famous and admired by many
  • verb
  • /ˈaɪkəˌnaɪz/
translation icon : iconizar
  • In the digital age, social media can easily iconize individuals, transforming them into symbols of popular culture.

Examples

  • The artist aimed to iconize the historical figure by depicting them in a larger-than-life mural.

  • Many fans hope the new movie will iconize the beloved superhero for a new generation.

  • It'd be something entirely different if the viewers, knowing this was an assault, chose to iconize this photo as the moment the war ended.

    Blog text (16)
  • The pick-a-card and play-a-card actions should be easy to iconize.

    Blog text (29)
  • Korachi's installation iconizes al-Rumi's journey across continents through Turkish ceramic ablution basins, Moroccan gold-embroidered silk, and metal.

    Academic text (2001)

Synonyms

to immortalize
vsto iconize
19 7.0

Make a person or thing remembered forever by honoring them

emphasizes symbolic representation and admiration rather than mere longevity
to lionize
vsto iconize
  • Literature
5 7.7

Treat someone like a famous person by giving public attention and praise

focuses more on creating a lasting symbol admired over time
to apotheosize
vsto iconize
  • Literature
9.9

To make someone seem like a god or without faults

is praise that makes a admired symbol rather than a divine figure
to heroize
vsto iconize
7.9

To make someone seem very brave and admired

is broader making a symbolic admired figure beyond brave acts

Antonyms

89 4.7

Make a person or thing seem less important

28 7.7

To speak badly about someone or something to show little respect

How Admiring

to idolize
  • US
42 4.9
to iconize
7.9
to admire
743 1.6
to praise
331 1.0
to celebrate
201 2.1

Surface Forms

iconize infinitive
iconized past
iconized past participle
iconizing present participle
iconizes third person singular

Morphology

iconize = icon (transparent) = icon + ize

The verb is a straightforward verbalization of the noun 'icon' using the productive suffix '-ize' meaning 'make into'.

Etymology

Iconize comes from icon, from Greek eikon meaning 'image'. So to iconize someone or something is to make them a famous, admired symbol.