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Maelstrom vs Whirlwind - What's the difference?

maelstrom | whirlwind |

As nouns the difference between maelstrom and whirlwind

is that maelstrom is maelstrom while whirlwind is a violent windstorm of limited extent, as the tornado, characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with an upward current in the center; a vortex of air it usually has a rapid progressive motion.

As an adjective whirlwind is

rapid and minimal: a whirlwind tour'', ''a whirlwind guide .

maelstrom

English

Alternative forms

*

Noun

(en noun)
  • A large and violent whirlpool.
  • * 2001 — , Artemis Fowl , p 212
    • A hulking shape burst through the doorway and hurtled down the corridor, leaving a maelstrom of air currents in his wake.
  • Any violent or turbulent situation.

    • See also

    * (projectlink) *

    References

    whirlwind

    English

    Noun

    (wikipedia whirlwind)
  • A violent windstorm of limited extent, as the tornado, characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with an upward current in the center; a vortex of air. It usually has a rapid progressive motion.
  • (figuratively) A person or body of objects or events sweeping violently onward.
    • The weeks leading up to the convention were a whirlwind of preparation and hurried activity.
    Once he got that new scooter he turned into a whirlwind and damaged all the flowers.

    Derived terms

    *

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Rapid and minimal: a whirlwind tour'', ''a whirlwind guide .