juggernaut

noun

jug·ger·naut | \ ˈjə-gər-ˌnȯt

, -ˌnät\

Definition of juggernaut

1 : a massive inexorable force, campaign, movement, or object that crushes whatever is in its path an advertising juggernaut a political juggernaut

2 chiefly British : a large heavy truck

Synonyms The History of Juggernaut More Example Sentences Learn More about juggernaut

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The History of Juggernaut

In the early 14th century, Franciscan missionary Friar Odoric brought to Europe the story of an enormous carriage that carried an image of the Hindu god Vishnu (whose title was Jagannath, literally, "lord of the world") through the streets of India in religious processions. Odoric reported that some worshippers deliberately allowed themselves to be crushed beneath the vehicle's wheels as a sacrifice to Vishnu. That story was probably an exaggeration or misinterpretation of actual events, but it spread throughout Europe anyway. The tale caught the imagination of English listeners, and by the 19th century, they were using juggernaut to refer to any massive vehicle (such as a steam locomotive) or to any other enormous entity with powerful crushing capabilities.

Examples of juggernaut in a Sentence

there was no escaping the juggernaut of hype for the studio's biggest summer blockbuster

Recent Examples on the Web

The Dodgers look like nothing less than a juggernaut, a power that isn’t going away anytime soon. — Nick Piecoro, azcentral, "Buy? Sell? Diamondbacks, GM Mike Hazen facing ‘complicated decision’ as deadline looms," 10 July 2019 The couple are the most visible in the city’s cadre of conservative Republicans who, faced with a populist Trump juggernaut, chose to scramble aboard. — Bryan Lowry, kansascity, "Phone poll pits lobbyist with Trump ties against Kansas congressman for Senate race," 4 June 2019 The death of Osama bin Laden, the group’s charismatic leader, in 2011, and the stunning rise of ISIS just a few years later turned the once-powerful terrorist juggernaut into yesterday’s news. — Jennifer Williams, Vox, "Osama bin Laden’s son, the “Crown Prince of Terror,” is dead. Or is he?," 1 Aug. 2019 This was not the swashbuckling superstar-laden juggernaut of 1960 (although Puskas and Gento were still around) but there was a steel, experience and hurt under the messy fringes of Muñoz's Yé-Yé's that was not to be stopped. — SI.com, "Miguel Muñoz: The Man Who Told Alfredo Di Stefano to F*ck Off & Led the Ye-Ye's to European Glory," 25 July 2019 That’s nine tough conference games in the juggernaut which is the Pac-12, plus schools like Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Nebraska. — James Crepea | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive.com, "What Larry Scott said at Pac-12 Media Day," 24 July 2019 Wherever French voters had turned, somehow there was still a neoliberal lording over them in the Élysée Palace, favoring the diktats of the European Union, the forces of unregulated markets, the juggernaut of globalization. — Christopher Ketcham, Harper's magazine, "A Play with No End," 22 July 2019 The franchise juggernaut added just $5.2 million in its second outing, lifting its China total to $24.2 million — compared to $236.9 million in North America. — Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, "China Box Office: 'Spider-Man: Far From Home' Rides Rave Word-of-Mouth to $98M Opening," 1 July 2019 This is a preface to the Rapids match Friday night against the juggernaut that is LAFC. — Mark Goodman, The Denver Post, "Backpass: The Rapids are going to “take the L” against LAFC," 28 June 2019

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

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More Definitions for juggernaut

juggernaut

noun

English Language Learners Definition of juggernaut

: something (such as a force, campaign, or movement) that is extremely large and powerful and cannot be stopped

British : a very large, heavy truck

See the full definition for juggernaut in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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juggernaut

Definition of juggernaut

Synonyms for juggernaut

The History of Juggernaut

Examples of juggernaut in a Sentence

First Known Use of juggernaut

History and Etymology for juggernaut

English Language Learners Definition of juggernaut

juggernaut

Definition of juggernaut

Synonyms for juggernaut

The History of Juggernaut

Examples of juggernaut in a Sentence

First Known Use of juggernaut

History and Etymology for juggernaut

English Language Learners Definition of juggernaut

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