maelstrom
noun uk/ˈmeɪl.strɒm/ us/ˈmeɪl.strəm/
(SITUATION)
[ C usually singular ]大动乱;骚乱;极度混乱
a situation in which there is great confusion, violence, and destruction
The country is gradually being sucked into the maelstrom of civil war. 国家逐渐陷入内战的大动乱之中。
(WATER)
[ C ]大漩涡
an area of water that moves with a very strong circular movement and sucks in anything that goes past