iconoclastic
4
9.6
- adjective
- /ˌaɪkəˈnɒklæstɪk/
- Formal
:
iconoclasta
- Liberty-loving Vermont, known for its acceptance of gay marriage and iconoclastic politicians, is less known for its ban.
- iconoclastic practice
- iconoclastic period
And what I'm saying is a little bit new, a little bit perhaps inflammatory or iconoclastic.
- And what I'm saying is a little bit new, a little bit perhaps inflammatory or iconoclastic.
- And when they became very iconoclastic to gain attention.
Examples
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Enlightened intellectuals used reason to question the world and their legacy was radical politics, iconoclastic art and natural philosophy, or science.
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Because Jung has become an idol, to do this is iconoclastic as well as feminist.
Fiction book (1997) -
All three were part of last fall's iconoclastic Paradise.
Academic text (2004) -
And sometimes, you know, the conventional wisdom is right and sometimes the iconoclastic person is wrong.
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Some of this iconoclastic activity undoubtedly arose from individuals acting on their own initiative.
Academic text (2002) -
You've had this great opportunity to see and to work with young people who are iconoclastic, clearly brilliant, clearly driven.
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Her education gradually led her toward an iconoclastic identity very different from that of her parents or middle-class Jewish community.
Academic text (2002) -
And while you have to love Steinberg's iconoclastic tendencies, we need to be realistic.
Blog text (26) -
However, Stern was shocked by the iconoclastic atomic model of Niels Bohr.
Academic text (2003) -
The artist is known for his iconoclastic approach, challenging traditional ideas about beauty and art.
Synonyms
13
9.1
Having beliefs that go against accepted religious or official views
3
7.4
Not following the usual customs or rules of society
1
9.7
Not following the usual or accepted beliefs, often in religion
Opposed to people and groups in power
Not supporting traditional ideas and old ways of doing things
Not following the usual rules or ways that most people accept
How Iconoclastic
Surface Forms
Morphology
iconoclastic = iconoclast (semi-transparent) = icono + clast + ic
The adjective is formed from 'iconoclast' + '-ic', but the common non-literal sense ('attacking established beliefs') is a metaphorical extension not fully predictable from the parts for average learners.
Etymology
Iconoclastic comes from the Greek parts eikon ('image') and klastes ('breaker'), and eikon is the same root as the word icon. It first meant 'image breaker', so a helpful way to remember the modern meaning is to think of someone who 'breaks' old ideas or traditions by attacking them.