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juggernaut

noun

/ˈdʒʌɡənɔːt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of juggernaut

An overwhelming and unstoppable force or institution that advances or progresses with great power and intensity, often to the detriment of anything in its path.
"The tech giant had become a juggernaut, dominating the industry with its products."

Detailed meaning of juggernaut

The term originates from the Hindu deity Lord Jagannath, whose massive chariot procession during a festival in the Indian city of Puri was known for its immense size and the belief that it could crush anything in its way. In a metaphorical sense, a juggernaut refers to any entity, system, or movement that possesses irresistible momentum or influence. It can describe a powerful corporation, a dominant political force, or a rapidly advancing technological trend that seems unstoppable. The term conveys the idea that such forces are so immense and relentless that they can overwhelm opposition or obstacles, often with little regard for the consequences.

Example sentences containing juggernaut

1. Tech firms strive for industry juggernaut status, shaping innovation and markets.
2. Economic juggernauts endure recessions, driving global finance.
3. Political parties vie as election juggernauts, mobilizing voters.
4. Startups seek marketing juggernaut status, capturing attention.
5. Sports teams aspire to juggernaut status, showcasing skill.
6. Cultural phenomena become media juggernauts, shaping discourse.

History and etymology of juggernaut

The noun 'juggernaut' has a fascinating etymology that traces its origins to the Sanskrit word 'Jagannātha,' which is a name for the Hindu deity Lord Krishna. The term 'Jagannātha' translates to 'lord of the world' or 'worldly lord.' In Hinduism, Lord Krishna is worshipped as a powerful and all-encompassing deity, and his image is often enshrined in grand temples, particularly in the city of Puri in Odisha, India. During religious festivals, devotees would pull massive and ornate temple chariots in a procession, which often led to the term 'juggernaut' being used to describe these immense and unstoppable forces. Over time, this term was figuratively applied to describe any overwhelming and unstoppable force or institution that advances with great power and intensity, often to the detriment of anything in its path. Thus, the etymology of 'juggernaut' reflects its roots in Hindu religious practices and the subsequent extension of its meaning to encompass broader concepts of overwhelming power.

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Further usage examples of juggernaut

1. Military alliances act as regional juggernauts, impacting geopolitics.
2. Industrialization birthed economic juggernauts, reshaping society.
3. Social media platforms are digital juggernauts, connecting billions.
4. Musicians hope albums become musical juggernauts, impacting music.
5. Franchises aim for box office juggernaut status, captivating audiences.
6. Corporations grow into global business juggernauts, shaping economies.
7. Storms rage like weather juggernauts, displaying nature's force.
8. Political movements emerge as populist juggernauts, driving change.
9. Olympic teams perform as sports juggernauts, winning medals.
10. Fashion brands seek style juggernaut status, influencing trends.
11. Tech giants operate as digital juggernauts, impacting daily life.
12. Manufacturers aim to be automotive juggernauts, revolutionizing transport.
13. Expanding companies become industry juggernauts, shaping markets.
14. Financial institutions may act as banking juggernauts, influencing finance.
15. The massive truck barreled down the road like a juggernaut, unstoppable and dangerous.
16. The politician's campaign was a juggernaut, steamrolling over all of its opponents.
17. The sports team had been a juggernaut all season, winning game after game with ease.
18. The company's new product was a juggernaut, quickly capturing market share and leaving competitors in the dust.
19. The hurricane was a juggernaut, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.
20. The rock band had become a juggernaut, selling out stadiums and topping charts around the world.
21. The dictator's regime was a juggernaut, crushing dissent and maintaining absolute control.
22. The superhero's nemesis was a juggernaut, nearly impossible to defeat in battle.
23. The stock market was a juggernaut, climbing higher and higher with no end in sight.
24. The monster in the horror movie was a juggernaut, terrifying and unstoppable.
25. The fast food chain had become a juggernaut, with locations in nearly every city and millions of customers served daily.