maelstrom

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noun mael·strom \ ˈmāl-strəm , -ˌsträm \

Definition of maelstrom

1 :a powerful often violent whirlpool sucking in objects within a given radius

tried to shoot the canoe across a stretch of treacherous maelstrom
—Harper's

2 :something resembling a maelstrom in turbulence

the maelstrom enveloping the country

a maelstrom of emotions

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maelstrom was our Word of the Day on 01/05/2017. Hear the podcast!

Examples of maelstrom in a Sentence

She was caught in a maelstrom of emotions.
The ship was drawn into the maelstrom.

Recent Examples of maelstrom from the Web

Overseas is an unsolvable maelstrom of mayhem and violence.

— michael auslin, National Review, "The Last Great American Western Turns 25," 3 Aug. 2017
In today’s political maelstrom, and the news that President Donald Trump wants to ban transgender troops from serving in the army, just being nice to people might sound like a retro idea from your Methodist grandmother.

— katie van syckle, The Cut, "The Young Woman Behind Frank Ocean’s New T-Shirt Could Save Us All," 30 July 2017
Jeffries illustrates this maelstrom of viewpoints with musical numbers that unfold in fits and starts; characters’ verses intersect, but their melodies remain distinct amidst the whole.

— dusty somers, The Seattle Times, "Review: ‘Persuasion’ makes music out of Austen’s melancholy," 24 July 2017
The university, founded by a Korean-American and one of the isolated nation’s top schools, was sucked into a political maelstrom this spring when the government arrested two Korean-Americans affiliated with the university.

— richard stone, Science | AAAS, "North Korea travel ban would hit Pyongyang University hard," 21 July 2017
But in trying to navigate the maelstrom of lies unleashed by his unpredictable new client, a steady temperament may only go so far.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Hires Ty Cobb – No, Not That One – As New Legal Counsel," 14 July 2017
Some 11 million people — half the Syrian population— have been forced from their homes by the maelstrom of violence that has consumed the country.

— philip issa, The Seattle Times, "Weary Syrians trickle back home to government-held areas," 13 July 2017
His reserve could bode well for the agency at a time when its work has been thrust into the center of a political maelstrom.

— sadie gurman, chicagotribune.com, "Trump's FBI pick vows independence: 'My loyalty is to the Constitution and the rule of law'," 12 July 2017
Dooley appeared in court Wednesday in a murder case that has become one of the region's most famous - and one that has caused a political maelstrom.

— scott wartman, Cincinnati.com, "Wife of convicted janitor David Dooley: New trial will show he's innocent," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'maelstrom.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Maelstrom comes from an early Dutch proper noun that literally meant "turning stream." The original Maelstrom is a channel that has dangerous tidal currents located off the northwest coast of Norway. The word became popularized in the general vocabulary of English in reference to a powerful whirlpool, or something akin to one, in the 19th century. This was partly due to its use by writers such as Edgar Allan Poe and Jules Verne (whose writing was widely translated from French) in stories exaggerating the tempestuousness of the Norwegian current and transforming it into a whirling vortex.

Origin and Etymology of maelstrom

obsolete Dutch (now maalstroom), from malen to grind + strom stream

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1659

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maelstrom Synonyms

Synonyms

gulf, whirlpool, vortex

Related Words

tourbillion (or tourbillon); eddy, swirl, whirl

Other Oceanography Terms

littoral, sound

MAELSTROM Defined for English Language Learners

maelstrom

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noun

Definition of maelstrom for English Language Learners

: a situation in which there are a lot of confused activities, emotions, etc.
: a dangerous area of water that moves very fast in a circle

Learn More about maelstrom

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for maelstrom Spanish Central: Translation of maelstrom Nglish: Translation of maelstrom for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about maelstrom

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maelstrom

Definition of maelstrom

maelstrom was our Word of the Day on 01/05/2017. Hear the podcast!

Examples of maelstrom in a Sentence

Recent Examples of maelstrom from the Web

Did You Know?

Origin and Etymology of maelstrom

maelstrom Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Oceanography Terms

MAELSTROM Defined for English Language Learners

maelstrom

Definition of maelstrom for English Language Learners

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maelstrom was our Word of the Day on 01/05/2017. Hear the podcast!

Examples of maelstrom in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of maelstrom

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MAELSTROM Defined for English Language Learners

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