Trends ofmaelstrom
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maelstrom
(meɪlstrɒm)
Word forms: plural maelstroms
countable noun [usually singular]
If you describe a situation as a maelstrom, you mean that it is very confused or violent.
[literary] ...the maelstrom of ethnic hatreds and vendetta politics. [+ of]
Inside, she was a maelstrom of churning emotions. [+ of]
Synonyms: turmoil, disorder, confusion, chaos More Synonyms of maelstrom
More Synonyms of maelstrom
maelstrom in British English
(ˈmeɪlstrəʊm)
noun
1.
a large powerful whirlpool
2.
any turbulent confusion
Word origin
C17: from obsolete Dutch maelstroom, from malen to grind, whirl round + stroom streamMaelstrom in British English
(ˈmeɪlstrəʊm)
noun
a strong tidal current in a restricted channel in the Lofoten Islands off the NW coast of Norway
Maelstrom in American English
(ˈmeɪlstrəm)
noun
1.
a famous strong, swirling tidal current off the W coast of Norway, hazardous to safe navigation
2. [m-]
any large or violent whirlpool
3. [m-]
a violently confused or dangerously agitated state of mind, emotion, affairs, etc.
Word origin
17th-c. Du (now maalstroom) < malen, to grind, whirl round (akin to Ger mahlen: see mill1) + stroom, a stream: first applied by 16th-c. Du geographersImage ofmaelstrom
© Andrey Armyagov, Shutterstock
Examples of 'maelstrom' in a sentencemaelstrom
1 (noun)
Definition
a large powerful whirlpool
a maelstrom of surf and confused seas
Synonyms
whirlpool
The upturned boat was swept towards a yawning whirlpool.
swirl
eddy
the swirling eddies of the fast-flowing river
vortex
a vortex of encircling winds
Charybdis (literary)
2 (noun)
Definition
any confused, violent, and destructive turmoil
Inside, she was a maelstrom of churning emotions.
Synonyms
turmoil
a year of political turmoil
disorder
He called on the authorities to stop public disorder.
confusion
The rebel leader seems to have escaped in the confusion.
chaos
The country appears to be sliding towards chaos.
upheaval
a prolonged period of political upheaval
uproar
The announcement caused uproar in the crowd.
pandemonium
There was pandemonium in the court as the verdict was delivered.
bedlam
He is causing bedlam at the hotel.
tumult
the recent tumult in global financial markets
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bedlam
Definition
a noisy confused situation
He is causing bedlam at the hotel.
Synonyms
pandemonium,
noise,
confusion,
chaos,
turmoil,
clamour,
furore,
uproar,
commotion,
rumpus,
babel,
tumult,
hubbub,
ruction (informal),
hullabaloo,
hue and cry,
ruckus (informal)
in the sense of chaos
Definition
complete disorder or confusion
The country appears to be sliding towards chaos.
Synonyms
disorder,
confusion,
mayhem,
havoc (informal),
anarchy,
lawlessness,
pandemonium,
entropy,
bedlam,
tumult,
disorganizationin the sense of confusion
Definition
disorder
The rebel leader seems to have escaped in the confusion.
Synonyms
disorder,
chaos,
turmoil,
upheaval,
muddle,
bustle,
shambles,
disarray,
commotion,
disorganization,
disarrangement
Nearby words ofmaelstrom
- madly
- madman
- madness
- maelstrom
- maestro
- magazine
- maggot
Synonyms of 'maelstrom'
maelstrom
Explore 'maelstrom' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of disorder
Definition
public violence or rioting
He called on the authorities to stop public disorder.
Synonyms
disturbance,
fight,
riot,
turmoil,
unrest,
quarrel,
upheaval,
brawl,
clamour,
uproar,
turbulence,
fracas,
commotion,
rumpus,
tumult,
hubbub,
shindig (informal),
hullabaloo,
scrimmage,
unruliness,
shindy (informal),
bagarre,
biffo (Australian, slang)
in the sense of eddy
Definition
a circular movement of air, water, or smoke
the swirling eddies of the fast-flowing river
Synonyms
swirl,
whirlpool,
vortex,
undertow,
tideway,
counter-current,
counterflow
in the sense of pandemonium
Definition
wild confusion
There was pandemonium in the court as the verdict was delivered.
Synonyms
uproar,
confusion,
chaos,
turmoil,
racket,
clamour,
din,
commotion,
rumpus,
bedlam,
babel,
tumult,
hubbub,
ruction (informal),
hullabaloo,
hue and cry,
ruckus (informal)
in the sense of tumult
Definition
a state of confusion and excitement
the recent tumult in global financial markets
Synonyms
disturbance,
trouble,
chaos,
turmoil,
storms,
upset,
stir,
disorder,
excitement,
unrest,
upheaval,
havoc (informal),
mayhem,
strife,
disarray,
turbulence,
ferment,
agitation,
convulsions,
bedlamin the sense of upheaval
Definition
a strong, sudden, or violent disturbance
a prolonged period of political upheaval
Synonyms
disturbance,
revolution,
disorder,
turmoil,
overthrow,
disruption,
eruption,
cataclysm,
violent change
in the sense of uproar
Definition
a commotion or disturbance characterized by loud noise and confusion
The announcement caused uproar in the crowd.
Synonyms
commotion,
noise,
racket,
riot,
confusion,
turmoil,
brawl,
mayhem,
clamour,
din,
turbulence,
pandemonium,
rumpus,
hubbub,
hurly-burly,
brouhaha,
ruction (informal),
hullabaloo,
ruckus (informal),
bagarre
in the sense of vortex
Definition
a whirling mass or motion, such as a whirlpool or whirlwind
a vortex of encircling winds
Synonyms
whirlpool,
eddy,
maelstrom,
Charybdis (literary),
gyre,
countercurrent