maelstrom

3 synonyms for maelstrom, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A large, violent whirlpool.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

vortex

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

whirlpool pandemonium

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A large, violent whirlpool.

“The current pulled the small boat toward a churning maelstrom near the rocks.”

vortex whirlpool

2. noun

A chaotic, turbulent, or overwhelming situation.

“The scandal plunged the company into a maelstrom of lawsuits and resignations.”

pandemonium

How to use maelstrom

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a maelstrom of caught in a maelstrom a political maelstrom

Etymology

Originally the name of a legendary whirlpool off the coast of Norway, from Dutch maelstrom ("whirling stream"); popularized in English by Edgar Allan Poe's 1841 story "A Descent into the Maelström".

Full origin of maelstrom →

Frequently asked questions

What does “maelstrom” mean?

The word “maelstrom” means a large, violent whirlpool. In plain terms, a dangerous whirlpool, or — more commonly today — any chaotic, swirling mess of events.

How do you pronounce “maelstrom”?

“Maelstrom” is pronounced MAYL-struhm (/ˈmeɪl.stɹəm/ in IPA).

How do you use “maelstrom” in a sentence?

Here is “maelstrom” used in a sentence: “The current pulled the small boat toward a churning maelstrom near the rocks.”

What is another word for “maelstrom”?

Words with a similar meaning to “maelstrom” include vortex.

What part of speech is “maelstrom”?

“Maelstrom” is a noun.

Where does the word “maelstrom” come from?

The word “maelstrom” dates back to around 1841 and comes from Dutch. Originally the name of a legendary whirlpool off the coast of Norway, from Dutch maelstrom ("whirling stream"); popularized in English by Edgar Allan Poe's 1841 story "A Descent into the Maelström".

How many meanings does “maelstrom” have?

“Maelstrom” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, violent whirlpool.

People also searched

vortex whirlpool pandemonium

Nearby words

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