Thesaurus results for MAELSTROM

maelstrom

noun

ˈmāl-strəm

Definition of 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 Two days later, Jack White intervened, inviting Temple to open one of his shows in September; their fourth album, Doomed Lovers, was announced amid the maelstrom. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 Yet there is little time for the thought to curdle, because this game is a Monday night maelstrom. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 In Kirke’s estimation, apparel shouldn’t be caught up in the maelstrom brewing between Washington and Ottowa over exports like steel, automotives, dairy or alcohol. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 21 July 2026 Most weekdays are a maelstrom of work, kids’ schedules, long commutes, and dinners to suit the needs of everyone. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for maelstrom

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maelstrom

vortex

Noun

Federal forecasters warned that the former hurricane and its warm, humid gusts could create unstable air and general storm cells that would become vortexes.

— Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
In Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, smaller eddies and vortices near the perimeter feed the giant maelstrom in the center.

— Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of vortex

Browse Nearby Words

Maecenases

maelstrom

maelstroms

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Maelstrom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maelstrom. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of maelstrom

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on maelstrom

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes