Maelstrom
noun
A situation or state of confused movement or violent turmoil.
The city was in a maelstrom of chaos after the riots.
Often appears as...
- maelstrom of chaos
- maelstrom of confusion
noun
A powerful whirlpool in the sea or a river.
The ship was swallowed by the giant maelstrom.
Often appears as...
- maelstrom of water
- maelstrom in the sea
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A situation or state of confused movement or violent turmoil.
The city was in a maelstrom of chaos after the riots.
Often appears as...
- maelstrom of chaos
- maelstrom of confusion
noun
A powerful whirlpool in the sea or a river.
The ship was swallowed by the giant maelstrom.
Often appears as...
- maelstrom of water
- maelstrom in the sea
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Chaos
Used to describe a chaotic situation, often uncontrollable and overwhelming.
The stock market was a maelstrom of activity after the news broke.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Intensity
Can express powerful emotions, like anxiety or excitement, involved in a turbulent situation.
She felt caught in a maelstrom of emotions on her wedding day.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative Usage
Often used figuratively, not just literally for violent movements.
Debate night unfolded into a maelstrom of accusations and rebuttals.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Chaos
Used to describe a chaotic situation, often uncontrollable and overwhelming.
The stock market was a maelstrom of activity after the news broke.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Intensity
Can express powerful emotions, like anxiety or excitement, involved in a turbulent situation.
She felt caught in a maelstrom of emotions on her wedding day.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative Usage
Often used figuratively, not just literally for violent movements.
Debate night unfolded into a maelstrom of accusations and rebuttals.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Chaos
Used to describe a chaotic situation, often uncontrollable and overwhelming.
The stock market was a maelstrom of activity after the news broke.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Intensity
Can express powerful emotions, like anxiety or excitement, involved in a turbulent situation.
She felt caught in a maelstrom of emotions on her wedding day.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative Usage
Often used figuratively, not just literally for violent movements.
Debate night unfolded into a maelstrom of accusations and rebuttals.
Never forget "Maelstrom"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Hope for the Congo PIPE ...
lives in their society brick by brick stitch by stitch I've seen it I've met the people and it's moved me and it's changed my views on what's possible on what's doable not only by the people who are in the midst of this terrible maelstrom of suffering and pain but also
Video examples
The price of shame PIPE...
Not a day goes by that I'm not reminded of my mistake, and I regret that mistake deeply. In 1998, after having been swept up into an improbable romance, I was then swept up into the eye of a political, legal and media maelstrom
Video examples
Hope for the Congo PIPE ...
lives in their society brick by brick stitch by stitch I've seen it I've met the people and it's moved me and it's changed my views on what's possible on what's doable not only by the people who are in the midst of this terrible maelstrom of suffering and pain but also
Video examples
The price of shame PIPE...
Not a day goes by that I'm not reminded of my mistake, and I regret that mistake deeply. In 1998, after having been swept up into an improbable romance, I was then swept up into the eye of a political, legal and media maelstrom
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Peer Steinbruck
German Politician
If I had political responsibility, I would want to prepare for a plan B that would foresee that the European currency union, that the eurozone, no longer necessarily consists of 17 member states. And that means to make provisions so that other countries are not pulled into the maelstrom through contagion.
Quote examples
Steven Pinker
Canadian Scientist
Consciousness turns out to consist of a maelstrom of events distributed across the brain. These events compete for attention, and as one process outshouts the others, the brain rationalizes the outcome after the fact and concocts the impression that a single self was in charge all along.
Quote examples
Shelby Steele
American Author
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton cannot write a timeless letter to us from a Birmingham jail or walk, as John Lewis did in 1965, across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., into a maelstrom of police dogs and billy clubs.
Quote examples
John Keegan
English Historian
I think that black Africa is extremely terrifying. Black Africa can become a maelstrom of warring tribes without the outside world needing to feel the need to do anything about it.
Quote examples
Samantha Power
Irish Public Servant
I think I would like the sort of job where you can work away in obscurity to try and improve things, without being caught up in the political maelstrom.
Quote examples
Zachary Quinto
American Actor
I would love to be a voice in this maelstrom of chaos and obsessive celebrity infatuation that says, 'Let's talk about something that matters'.
Quote examples
Ellen McLaughlin
American Playwright
The more you head into the maelstrom, the more vulnerable you are, of course. But it's what you owe to whatever gift you have.
Quote examples
Michelle Dean
American Journalist
There's no good way to be the center of a media maelstrom you did not choose for yourself.
Quote examples
Harold Pinter
English Dramatist
One is and is not in the centre of the maelstrom of it all.
Quote examples
Peer Steinbruck
German Politician
If I had political responsibility, I would want to prepare for a plan B that would foresee that the European currency union, that the eurozone, no longer necessarily consists of 17 member states. And that means to make provisions so that other countries are not pulled into the maelstrom through contagion.
Quote examples
Steven Pinker
Canadian Scientist
Consciousness turns out to consist of a maelstrom of events distributed across the brain. These events compete for attention, and as one process outshouts the others, the brain rationalizes the outcome after the fact and concocts the impression that a single self was in charge all along.
Quote examples
Shelby Steele
American Author
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton cannot write a timeless letter to us from a Birmingham jail or walk, as John Lewis did in 1965, across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., into a maelstrom of police dogs and billy clubs.
Quote examples
John Keegan
English Historian
I think that black Africa is extremely terrifying. Black Africa can become a maelstrom of warring tribes without the outside world needing to feel the need to do anything about it.
Quote examples
Samantha Power
Irish Public Servant
I think I would like the sort of job where you can work away in obscurity to try and improve things, without being caught up in the political maelstrom.
Quote examples
Zachary Quinto
American Actor
I would love to be a voice in this maelstrom of chaos and obsessive celebrity infatuation that says, 'Let's talk about something that matters'.
Quote examples
Ellen McLaughlin
American Playwright
The more you head into the maelstrom, the more vulnerable you are, of course. But it's what you owe to whatever gift you have.
Quote examples
Michelle Dean
American Journalist
There's no good way to be the center of a media maelstrom you did not choose for yourself.
Quote examples
Harold Pinter
English Dramatist
One is and is not in the centre of the maelstrom of it all.
Example 1 of 9
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension