myriad gods

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "myriad gods" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large number of deities in various mythologies or belief systems. Example: "In ancient cultures, people worshipped myriad gods, each representing different aspects of nature and human experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He made quite a success out of poking fun at pomposity, self‑righteousness, religiosity and his country's myriad gods.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The other 800 myriads of gods conferred on how to lure the sun goddess out.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Awe of God and its myriad representations in art and ritual was once the west's sublime, followed by the violent struggle for liberty and equality.

The Guardian - Opinion

The vast majority of people are juggling their commitment to God along with myriad other commitments, and often one hour a week is all the time they can give over to their spiritual lives.

Huffington Post

It's easy to forget things that our phones do for us everyday, which is just one of the myriad reasons why we have separation anxiety whenever we (God forbid) leave it home.

Huffington Post

Friend's modest, two-story faux Tudor home (filled with statues of Hindu gods, prayer flags and other souvenirs of his myriad travels) was a semimaelstrom of recently washed clothes, piled-up mail and stacks of unread publications with headlines like "Nine Life-Altering Lessons" — a reflection of the semimaelstrom that is his life.

The New York Times - Magazine

He may not know his math facts, but he can tell you any fact regarding, let's say, the Revolutionary war, Norse Gods, Star Wars (including the Clone Wars saga) Nerf and a myriad of other topics.

Huffington Post

Her myriad titles give some indication of this: Virgin of Virgins, Holy Mother of God, Queen of all Saints, Queen of Mercy, Queen of Peace.

The Economist

Flying in the face of a pagan world with myriad deities, Abraham, an itinerant herdsman, audaciously proclaimed belief in one unseen yet omnipotent God.

Huffington Post

The male gods were forever zooming down to copulate with a mortal girl, from which there followed inevitable myriad disasters.

Forbes

These men, Joe and Dan Shea and my brother, John, and so many others, were able to use their God-given talents to create families, to be members of communities and to enjoy the myriad of riches that made up their lives.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "myriad gods" when you want to emphasize not only a large quantity of deities but also their diversity and varying roles within a belief system. For instance, "The ancient Greeks worshipped a "myriad gods" and goddesses, each with their own unique powers and responsibilities."

Common error

Avoid using "myriad gods" metaphorically to describe a large number of something unrelated to deities or religious beliefs. While "myriad" can be used more broadly, "gods" should generally be reserved for actual deities. Instead, opt for alternatives like "a myriad of reasons" or "countless possibilities".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "myriad gods" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct. Its purpose is to describe a large and diverse group of deities, often within a polytheistic context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "myriad gods" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a large and diverse collection of deities, often within polytheistic religions. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and, although infrequent, finds usage in neutral and informative contexts such as news and encyclopedias. When writing, it's best to reserve "myriad gods" for discussions directly related to religious or mythological beliefs, avoiding its metaphorical extension to unrelated subjects. More common alternatives include "countless deities" or "numerous deities", but "myriad gods" emphasizes both quantity and diversity. It is most frequently found in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

countless deities

Replaces "myriad" with "countless", emphasizing the infinite number of gods.

numerous deities

Substitutes "myriad" with "numerous", indicating a large, but not necessarily infinite, number of gods.

innumerable gods

Highlights the inability to count or quantify the gods.

host of gods

Uses "host" to convey a large gathering or collection of deities.

pantheon of gods

Refers specifically to the collection of all the gods of a particular religion, mythology, or tradition.

vast number of gods

Emphasizes the large quantity of gods using the adjective "vast".

multitude of gods

Uses "multitude" to highlight the great number of gods.

various deities

Focuses on the diversity and variety within a group of gods.

many gods

A simpler and more direct way to express the existence of a large number of gods.

divine beings aplenty

Uses "aplenty" to suggest an abundant supply of divine beings.

FAQs

What does "myriad gods" mean?

The phrase "myriad gods" refers to a large and diverse number of deities, often found in polytheistic religions and mythologies. It emphasizes both the quantity and variety of gods worshipped.

Is it appropriate to use "myriad gods" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate as long as the context is relevant to religion, mythology, or comparative religion. The term "myriad" itself is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure the context aligns with the phrase's meaning.

What are some alternatives to "myriad gods"?

You can use alternatives such as "countless deities", "numerous deities", or "pantheon of gods" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does the phrase "myriad gods" differ from "many gods"?

While "many gods" simply indicates a large number of deities, "myriad gods" suggests a more expansive and potentially overwhelming quantity, often with an implied sense of diversity and complexity. The phrase evokes a sense of countlessness.