juggernaut
UK: ˈdʒʌɡənɔːt | US: ˈdʒʌɡərnɔːt
n. 1. A massive, overpowering force or institution that crushes everything in its path.
n. 2. (Historical) A large, heavy wagon carrying an idol of the Hindu god Jagannath, under which devotees were said to throw themselves.
The word "juggernaut" originates from the Sanskrit Jagannātha (जगन्नाथ), meaning "Lord of the Universe," a title for the Hindu god Vishnu (or Krishna). British colonial observers in India misinterpreted the annual Rath Yatra festival, where a massive chariot carrying Jagannath's idol was pulled through streets. Reports exaggerated that devotees sacrificed themselves under its wheels, leading to the English sense of an unstoppable, destructive force. Over time, the spelling shifted to "juggernaut," retaining its connotation of relentless power.
The tech company became a juggernaut, dominating the global market.
Environmentalists warned against the juggernaut of industrialization.
The festival’s chariot procession reminded historians of the original juggernaut tradition.
His campaign was a political juggernaut, sweeping all opposition.
The hurricane advanced like a natural juggernaut, leaving devastation in its wake.