a large, powerful, or violent whirlpool.

a restless, disordered, or tumultuous state of affairs

the maelstrom of early morning traffic.

( initial capital letter ) a famous hazardous whirlpool off the NW coast of Norway.

noun

bedlam , chaos , confusion , disorder , flap * , fuss , pandemonium , turbulence , turmoil , uproar , eddy , stir , swirl , undercurrent , undertow , vortex , whirl , current , storm , upheaval , whirlpool