What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
maelstrom
Example
The boat was caught in the maelstrom and tossed around violently. [maelstrom: noun]
Example
The company was in a maelstrom of controversy after the scandal broke. [maelstrom: metaphorical usage]
vortex
Example
The tornado created a vortex that sucked up everything in its path. [vortex: noun]
Example
The political campaign created a vortex of media attention and public interest. [vortex: metaphorical usage]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vortex is more commonly used than maelstrom in everyday language. Vortex is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while maelstrom is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between maelstrom and vortex?
Both maelstrom and vortex are formal words that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. However, vortex is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels than maelstrom.
