mythos

noun

ˈmi-ˌthōs How to pronounce mythos (audio)
Definition of mythosnext
1
as in myth
a traditional but unfounded story that gives the reason for a current custom, belief, or fact of nature according to one creation mythos, humans sprang from the forehead of a god

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in mythology
the body of customs, beliefs, stories, and sayings associated with a people, thing, or place the Superman mythos has long since become ingrained in popular American culture

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mythos As horror franchises evolve across installments, there’s a natural tendency for the creatives behind them to overthink things and get a bit too lost in the sauce of mythos and worldbuilding and topping themselves with bigger, juicier scares. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 July 2026 The incident quickly became part of Hemingway’s mythos, despite—and perhaps in part because of—the haziness of some of the details. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026 This transformative magic of movement is at the core of the American mythos and the heart of our cultural identity. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 Some will take umbrage about tinkering about with the Robin Hood mythos like that. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mythos
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mythos
  1. myth
  2. mythology
  3. legend
  4. folklore
  5. tradition
  6. lore
Noun
  • Best Bedroom Furniture Deals Yes, high-quality, affordable bedroom furniture is not a myth.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Nalla Roberts has been fascinated with tales like this for years, growing obsessed with Greek myths in her childhood.
    — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of myth
Noun
  • The Viper Room, Whisky a Go Go, the whole rock-and-roll mythology is outside your door, as is The Comedy Store.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Most biblical scholars read the story of the flood in Genesis as part of a much older tradition of flood mythology from the ancient Near East.
    — Eric Vanden Eykel, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of mythology
Noun
  • Its roots in Southern music run deep and broad; big band leader Erskine Hawkins, composer and musician Sun Ra, country legend Emmylou Harris, and trap pioneer Gucci Mane were born here.
    — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Americana musician Brandi Carlile just wrapped a three-night stint at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and fans who attended the Saturday show got a special surprise when she was joined by ‘90s rock legend Alanis Morissette.
    — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of legend
Noun
  • Set on the island of Cyprus in 1882, the film blends horror and folklore and revolves around Eleni, an outcast painter whose three children die in a freak accident.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The film fuses horror and crime with Hong Kong spiritual folklore, and is aimed at fans of midnight movies and cult cinema.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of folklore
Noun
  • Spending time together brings out their humor and fighting spirit, alongside emotional stories and traditions passed down through generations.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Holliday & Brown brings these two sensibilities together, creating a distinctive offering that combines tradition and creativity.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of tradition
Noun
  • Following the original movie’s unique approach to the slasher genre that put the audience in the killer’s perspective, the sequel will expand on Johnny’s lore and deliver more brutally extreme and creative kills.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
  • His lore is also deepened, the kills get more intense, all good stuff.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of lore

Browse Nearby Words

mythomaniacs
mythos
myths
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mythos.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mythos. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All