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Maelstrom Definition

Mael·strom (mālstrəm)

noun

  1. a famous strong, swirling tidal current off the W coast of Norway, hazardous to safe navigation
  2. any large or violent whirlpool
  3. a violently confused or dangerously agitated state of mind, emotion, affairs, etc.

Etymology: 17th-c. Du (now maalstroom) < malen, to grind, whirl round (akin to Ger mahlen: see mill) + stroom, a stream: first applied by 16th-c. Du geographers

maelstrom Synonyms

maelstrom

n.

  1. Whirlpool

    vortex, undertow, eddy; see storm 1, whirlpool.

  2. Disturbance

    commotion, turmoil, fury; see confusion 2, storm 2.

Maelstrom Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • war: Cassandra is in the middle of the maelstrom of war, trying to make sense of the chaos that surrounds her.
  • activity: Dougal's natural desire to rescue her plunges him into a maelstrom of criminal activities.
  • emotion: Both Will and Sam vie for her heart, sending Amanda into a maelstrom of conflicting emotions, desires and uncertainty.
  • noise: That's beautiful as in a raging, in your face, electric driven maelstrom of noise and fizzing energy, of course.
  • life: For him, seeking some meaning from the maelstrom of modern life has never been a futile exercise.
  • color: Shoot the gravity well a few times and it explodes in a maelstrom of pretty colors and particles.

Converse of object

  • create: The swirling hype, promises of opportunity and mandates for change have created a maelstrom of uncertainty.
  • whirl: Tho the tall buildings were almost useless in providing a refuge from the whirling maelstrom of the heavens.
  • boil: Vessels of all kinds drifted aimlessly about, wrecking each other, and covering the boiling maelstrom of the harbor with their debris.
  • survive: How will he and Kemi survive the maelstrom of their marriage?
  • face: Mexico's most vulnerable citizens have faced a maelstrom of change beyond their capacity, or that of their government, to control.
  • become: What if the wind came early and the whole shore became a maelstrom in moments, as can sometimes be the case?

Adjective modifier

  • swirling: One painting depicts Britain surrounded by a swirling maelstrom coming from the mouth of a man who resembles Adolf Hitler.
  • emotional: Hirsch's Tim is easiest for the audience to identify with, an ordinary kid thrown into an emotional maelstrom.
  • political: Closer to home, Ryan highlights the political maelstrom in Britain under the impact of globalization.
  • seething: The following chapter describes a seething maelstrom of revolution and drug wars, Central and South America.
  • creative: At its best it brings together activists from different countries, backgrounds and campaigns in a creative maelstrom of debate and discussion.
  • vast: It's a thriving hybrid, a conglomeration of 88 independent cities sprawling over a vast urban maelstrom.

Noun used with modifier

traffic: We passed down Oakley Road to Bromley Common, and entered the traffic maelstrom of Bromley.

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