maelstrom
noun
mael·strom
| \ ËmÄl-strÉm
, -ËstrĂ€m\
, -ËstrĂ€m\
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
Keep scrolling for more
Examples of maelstrom in a Sentence
She was caught in a maelstrom of emotions.
The ship was drawn into the maelstrom.
Recent Examples on the Web
This was met with a maelstrom of condemnation from his opponents and independent experts who said that asking for what will be the longest suspension in decades amounted to an undemocratic abuse of power. — NBC News, "Court says Boris Johnson's suspension of Parliament is unlawful â so what now for Brexit?," 11 Sep. 2019 The confusion around Trump's statements has caused a maelstrom within the some of the government's most vital scientific agencies. — The Washington Post, oregonlive, "NOAAâs chief scientist will investigate why agency backed Trump over its experts on Dorian, email shows," 9 Sep. 2019 The confusion around Trump's statements has caused a maelstrom within the some of the government's most vital scientific agencies. — al, "NOAA investigating response to Trumpâs Alabama Dorian comments," 9 Sep. 2019 Our goal of this package is not to ostracize, separate, or add to the maelstrom of click-bait on the internet. — Lindsay Schallon, Glamour, "Let's Talk About the âFâ Word," 26 Aug. 2019 Robbed upon arrival in Kingston, Ivan Martin (Cliff) founders at first in the urban maelstrom. — J. Hoberman, New York Times, "âThe Harder They Comeâ: A Pop Classic That Has Hardly Faded," 22 Aug. 2019 Buffeted by this maelstrom of changing tastes and environmental awareness, an industry older than the nation is increasingly at risk. — Lydia Mulvany, Fortune, "Thereâs a Cowhide Glut, As Americans Devour Beef and Leather Falls Out of Fashion," 9 Aug. 2019 Matters only got worse for years after March 2003, as the administrationâs failure to adequately prepare for or rapidly adapt to the challenges of stabilizing Iraq left American forces stuck in an intensifying maelstrom. — Hal Brands, National Review, "Lessons from the Iraq War," 20 June 2019 Ansari understands the public opinion maelstrom his career will live and die withinâits randomness, its hivemindedness, its self-serving cruelty. — Emma Grey Ellis, WIRED, "Aziz Ansari's Netflix Special Will Make You LaughâAwkwardly," 10 July 2019These 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for maelstrom
maelstrom
noun
English Language Learners Definition of maelstrom
literary
: 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
See the full definition for maelstrom in the English Language Learners Dictionary
Keep scrolling for more