iconoclast

plural iconoclasts

1. historicalChristianityOne who destroys religious images or icons, especially an opponent of the Orthodox Church in the 8th and 9th centuries, or a Puritan during the European Reformation.

   In the days of the early Christian church, people who opposed the veneration (reverence) of images were called iconoclasts.

   2004, Eugene TeSelle, World Book Encyclopedia, 2004 edition (CD), Iconoclast

   Antonyms: iconodule, iconophile

2. One who opposes orthodoxy and religion; one who adheres to the doctrine of iconoclasm.

   1 more example

   In February 1895 he [William Cowper Brann, 1855-1898 ] revived publication of the Iconoclast. This time it was successful and eventually attained a circulation of 100,000. Brann took obvious relish in directing his stinging attacks upon institutions and persons he considered to be hypocritical or overly sanctimonious.

   2010 The Handbook of Texas Online, William Cowper Brann, Texas State Historical Association, Austin http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbr23

   Synonyms: heretic · Antonyms: traditionalist

3. broadlyOne who attacks cherished beliefs; a maverick.

   Relishing the role of iconoclast, he confounded the scientific establishment by dismissing the consensus about the perils of man-made climate change as “tribal group-thinking.”

   2020 February 28, George Johnson, “Freeman Dyson, Math Genius Turned Technological Visionary, Dies at 96”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

   2 more examples

   After all, the fact that any discussion of the possibility is greeted with hysterical revulsion guarantees that only two types of people will take the "pro" side in public: fearless iconoclasts who do not care what anyone thinks of them; and racists.

   2007 November 29, Megan McArdle, “Ugly questions”, in The Atlantic

   Coming so soon after the death of David Bowie, it’s a moment to consider how deeply important iconoclasts are to the evolution of a culture. Do they change the world by trying to change it, or do they change the world through the radical act of simply being themselves?

   2016 April 21, Spencer Kornhaber, “Prince the Immortal”, in The Atlantic

   Synonyms: nonconformist, rebel · Antonyms: traditionalist, conformist, devotee