maelstrom vs vortex

maelstrom and vortex both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
maelstrom	Yes	No	No	No
vortex	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, maelstrom and vortex are synonyms defined as:

maelstrom and vortex: a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)

Other synonyms of maelstrom include whirlpool.

maelstrom (noun)	vortex (noun)
a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)	a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)
	the shape of something rotating rapidly