verb

inundate

IN-un-dayt

Inundate (verb) means to give someone far more of something than they can deal with, usually requests, messages or work. Example: “The helpline was inundated with calls after the broadcast.”

verb

To give someone far more of something than they can deal with, usually requests, messages or work.

"The helpline was inundated with calls after the broadcast."

"We were inundated by applications within an hour."

To cover an area with water; to flood.

"Spring meltwater inundates the lower fields every year."

How to use inundate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo flood someone or something with far more than they can handle.

When to use it

Very often passive: 'we were inundated with…'.

Memory tip

Both 'inundated with' and 'inundated by' are standard; 'with' is more common for messages and requests.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

inundate / intimidate inundate / undertake

Common pairings

inundated with requests inundated with calls inundated by emails inundated fields

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “inundate” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The helpline was _____ with calls after the broadcast.

Etymology

From Latin inundare 'to overflow', from in- 'into' plus unda 'wave'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

overwhelm swamp flood deluge bombard submerge drown

Antonyms

drain dry out

Related words

attack river wall bomb overcome flood sink spam

Rhymes for inundate

ate date rate mate fate abate slate plate state grate create update

See all rhymes for inundate →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between inundate and overwhelm?

Overwhelm is broader and can describe emotions, forces or defeat. Inundate keeps its flooding metaphor and is used mainly for a sheer volume of things arriving, such as calls, emails or water.

Is inundate only about water?

No. The literal flooding sense still exists, but in modern English the figurative sense of being swamped with demands or messages is far more common.

Do you say inundated with or inundated by?

Both are correct. 'Inundated with' is the usual choice for messages, requests and work, while 'inundated by' fits actual water and large forces slightly better.

What is the meaning of inundate?

"inundate" (verb) means to give someone far more of something than they can deal with, usually requests, messages or work.

People also searched

attack river wall bomb overcome flood sink spam