Golems, the fictitious creatures created from clay, have a few synonyms. One of the synonyms for golems is homunculi, which is Latin for "little men" and refers to small, artificial beings. Another synonym for golems is automatons, which refers to self-operating machines or robots. Similarly, androids are synthetic humanoids that can perform tasks autonomously and are often used in science fiction. In Jewish mythology, golems are often depicted as protectors, and in this context, the term "guardian" can be used as a synonym. Some other terms that are sometimes used to describe golems include constructs, animated statues, and artificial beings.