as in vortex
water moving rapidly in a circle with a hollow in the center
in The Odyssey, Ulysses is trapped between the six-headed monster Scylla and Charybdis, a deadly whirlpool that threatens to suck in his ship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of whirlpool
Any such reforms will be slow-moving, though, and America is foundering right now in a whirlpool of contested facts.
—
Adam Marcus, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
The polar vortex, a whirlpool of Arctic air typically perched atop the North Pole, dislodged and descended into the Midwest causing the bitter cold.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
The ever-growing power needs of blockchain, and now AI, are like an all-consuming vortex, where the demands spiral deeper and wider, pulling in more resources with each passing moment, much like a cosmic whirlpool.
—Eric Solis, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Just like whitewater, winds can swirl like a whirlpool or crash down on top of an aircraft like a waterfall.
—Thomas Fuller, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whirlpool
Adam Marcus, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
The polar vortex, a whirlpool of Arctic air typically perched atop the North Pole, dislodged and descended into the Midwest causing the bitter cold.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
The ever-growing power needs of blockchain, and now AI, are like an all-consuming vortex, where the demands spiral deeper and wider, pulling in more resources with each passing moment, much like a cosmic whirlpool.
—Eric Solis, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Just like whitewater, winds can swirl like a whirlpool or crash down on top of an aircraft like a waterfall.
—Thomas Fuller, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whirlpool
Cite this Entry
“Whirlpool.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirlpool. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share