Juggernaut: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The term comes from the Hindi word 'Jagannath', which refers to a deity whose enormous chariot was paraded during festivals.
• In English, it originally described the massive chariot of Jagannath used in religious processions, symbolizing overwhelming power.

Literature

• The word gained popularity in the 19th century through literature, notably in Thomas Carlyle's works where it depicted unstoppable forces.
• In literature, it's often used to describe campaigns, governments, or corporations that dominate and obliterate opposition.

Pop Culture

• In modern media, 'juggernaut' often describes powerful entities, like a major corporation or a blockbuster film that dominates ticket sales.
• The Marvel Comics character Juggernaut is a supervillain known for his unstoppable strength and momentum.

Psychology

• The concept can represent psychological forces that drive individuals to pursue goals, like ambition or competition, to the detriment of others.
• In debates, an idea can become a juggernaut when it gains overwhelming support, overshadowing opposing viewpoints.

Science and Technology

• In technology, it can refer to software or systems that become so dominant in a market that competition struggles to keep up.
• Historically, juggernaut effects are studied in physics to describe large forces acting upon smaller objects in motion.

This word's position of #32,575 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 32572 reviling
• 32573 frolicking
• 32574 duplicitous
• 32575 juggernaut
• 32576 loafer
• 32577 sartorial
• 32578 bulldozed
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