juggernaut

noun

jug·ger·naut ˈjə-gər-ˌnȯt

-ˌnät

Synonyms of juggernaut next

: a massive inexorable force, campaign, movement, or object that crushes whatever is in its path

an advertising juggernaut

a political juggernaut

chiefly British : a large heavy truck

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The History of Juggernaut

In the early 14th century, Franciscan missionary Friar Odoric brought to Europe the story of an enormous carriage that carried an image of the Hindu god Vishnu (whose title was Jagannath, literally, "lord of the world") through the streets of India in religious processions. Odoric reported that some worshippers deliberately allowed themselves to be crushed beneath the vehicle's wheels as a sacrifice to Vishnu. That story was likely an exaggeration or misinterpretation of actual events, but it spread throughout Europe. The tale caught the imagination of English listeners, and they began using juggernaut to refer to any massive vehicle (such as a steam locomotive) and to any other enormous entity with powerful crushing capabilities.

Examples of juggernaut in a Sentence

there was no escaping the juggernaut of hype for the studio's biggest summer blockbuster

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

With the rising tide of democratic setbacks, the growing assertiveness of Russia and China, and the electoral gains of illiberal populist parties and candidates in Europe and the United States, many observers feared the authoritarian trend was becoming a juggernaut. —

Larry Diamond, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024 The song has been a commercial juggernaut since its release, currently sitting at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 after previously reaching a peak of No. 3. —

Thania Garcia, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024 Joon-ho’s massive juggernaut, however, is really an homage to Kim Ki-young’s series of Housemaid films, and reflects the same shifting landscapes without being just a rehash of the same class dynamics. —

Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 28 Oct. 2024 Zoom in: In the late 1970s, Marcus and Arthur Blank dreamed up and built a juggernaut in the home improvement retail world. —

Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for juggernaut