If you describe someone as an iconoclast, you mean that they often criticize beliefs and things that are generally accepted by society.
[formal]
They often identify as outsiders, as iconoclasts, as someone who doesn't quite fit.
Synonyms: rebel, radical, dissident, heretic More Synonyms of iconoclast
iconoclast in British English
(aɪˈkɒnəˌklæst)
noun
1.
a person who attacks established or traditional concepts, principles, laws, etc
2.
a.
a destroyer of religious images or sacred objects
b.
an adherent of the heretical movement within the Greek Orthodox Church from 725 to 842 ad, which aimed at the destruction of icons and religious images
Derived forms
iconoclastic (iˌconoˈclastic)
adjective
iconoclastically (iˌconoˈclastically)
adverb
Word origin
C16: from Late Latin iconoclastes, from Late Greek eikonoklastes, from eikōn icon + klastēs breaker
iconoclast in American English
(aɪˈkɑnəˌklæst)
noun
1.
one opposed to the religious use of images or advocating the destruction of such images
2.
one who attacks and seeks to destroy widely accepted ideas, beliefs, etc.
Derived forms
iconoclastic (iˌconoˈclastic)
adjective
Word origin
ML iconoclastes < MGr eikonoklastēs < LGr eikōn (see icon) + klaein, to break: for IE base see calamity
Examples of 'iconoclast' in a sentence
iconoclast
`Intelligent, quick-witted, attractive, and something of an iconoclast, which at her age is right and proper.
Ashford, Jeffrey A QUESTION OF PRINCIPLE
Most parents and teachers leave it till the end, but since you are such a little iconoclast, I will teach it to you now.
Hocke, Martin THE ANCIENT AND SOLITARY REIGN
(noun)
Definition
a person who attacks established or traditional ideas or principles
She was an iconoclast who refused to be bound by tradition.
Synonyms
rebel
She had been a rebel at school.
radical
dissident
political dissidents
heretic
He was considered a heretic and was ridiculed for his ideas.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dissident
Definition
a person who disagrees with a government or a powerful organization
political dissidents
Synonyms
protester,
rebel,
dissenter,
demonstrator,
agitator,
recusant,
protest marcher
in the sense of heretic
Definition
a person who holds unorthodox opinions in any field
He was considered a heretic and was ridiculed for his ideas.