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
1
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."
2
To cover an area with water; to flood.
"Spring meltwater inundates the lower fields every year."
How to use inundate
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Fill the gap
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The helpline was _____ with calls after the broadcast.
Etymology
From Latin inundare 'to overflow', from in- 'into' plus unda 'wave'.
Related words
Rhymes for inundate
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.
