maelstrom

as in vortex
water moving rapidly in a circle with a hollow in the center our rubber raft got caught in a maelstrom in a particularly rough stretch of white water

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 maelstrom The horrific tragedy arrived in the midst of a maelstrom already brewing over the National Weather Service, its parent agency and the Trump administration’s budget cuts. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 8 July 2025 Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice carved out a moment for emotion in the maelstrom of a Stanley Cup Final the other day as his team prepared for Game 4 on Thursday night. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025 But the reaction to the reports of her interview generated a maelstrom so intense that Aluko issued Wright an apology on Instagram two days later. Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 1 May 2025 In the resulting maelstrom, Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina and other southern delegates bolted the convention. Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for maelstrom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maelstrom
vortex
Noun
  • Felix is drawn deeper and deeper into the vortex of his darkest desires and is forced to confront his subconscious longings, before discovering that there is only one true wish for him.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025
  • In 2023, a storm chase group was trapped inside of their Toyota Camry in the vortex of a killer tornado.
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Maelstrom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maelstrom. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on maelstrom

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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