noun

maelstrom

maelstrom, whirlpool, turmoil

The ship was caught in a maelstrom.

The ship was caught in a maelstrom.

He was caught in a maelstrom of emotions.

He was caught in a maelstrom of emotions.

a maelstrom of ((sth.)) a state of confusion involving something The country was in a maelstrom of political unrest.

Synonyms: whirlpool, vortex, turmoil, chaos

From Dutch 'maelstroom', from 'malen' (to grind, whirl) + 'stroom' (stream).

Imagine a 'meal' being ground up in a powerful 'storm' to picture a destructive whirlpool.

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