bombarded: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral (used in both formal and informal contexts)
Quick answer
What does “bombarded” mean?
To attack a place with continuous artillery fire, bombs, or missiles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To attack a place with continuous artillery fire, bombs, or missiles.
To subject someone or something to a continuous, intense, and often overwhelming flow of things, such as questions, information, messages, or demands.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The literal military usage is equally understood but less common. The metaphorical usage is predominant in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes intensity and a lack of respite, whether in literal or figurative contexts.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties, with the figurative sense being highly common.
Grammar
How to Use “bombarded” in a Sentence
[Sb] bombards [Sb/St] with [St][Sb] is/gets bombarded with [St]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bombarded” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The journalists bombarded the minister with queries about the new policy.
- The historic castle was bombarded during the siege.
American English
- Customers are constantly bombarded with marketing emails.
- The air force bombarded the enemy positions for hours.
adverb
British English
- N/A (The form 'bombardedly' is not standard).
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The bombarded town centre was a scene of devastation.
- She felt utterly bombarded by the sheer volume of work.
American English
- The bombarded coastline showed little sign of its former beauty.
- In his bombarded state, he couldn't focus on a single task.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Commonly used to describe being overwhelmed with emails, requests, or market data.
Academic
Used in history (military contexts) and social sciences (e.g., 'consumers are bombarded with advertising').
Everyday
Frequently used to describe feeling overwhelmed by messages, notifications, or demands on one's attention.
Technical
In physics/chemistry, can describe subjecting a substance to a stream of particles (e.g., 'the sample was bombarded with electrons').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bombarded”
- Incorrect: *'They bombarded me to answer.' Correct: 'They bombarded me with requests to answer.'
- Misspelling as *'bombarded' (single 'b').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly yes, as it implies an overwhelming and often stressful onslaught. However, one could be 'bombarded with love' in a positive, hyperbolic sense.
Yes, this is the most common modern use. It is frequently used for information, communication, or sensory overload (e.g., bombarded with data, ads, noise).
While similar, 'bombarded' emphasises the continuous, incoming *source* of pressure (like attacks from outside), whereas 'overwhelmed' focuses more on the internal *state* of being unable to cope. You are bombarded *with* things, which causes you to *become* overwhelmed.
The correct past tense and past participle is 'bombarded'. 'Bombarded' is a common misspelling.
To attack a place with continuous artillery fire, bombs, or missiles.
Bombarded is usually neutral (used in both formal and informal contexts) in register.
Bombarded: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɒmˈbɑːdɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɑːmˈbɑːrdɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be bombarded with questions (common collocation, not a unique idiom)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOMB + a BARRICADE. A barricade is under attack. You are bombarded when you feel under a similar 'attack' of too many things at once.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION / ATTENTION IS WARFARE (e.g., 'bombarded with ads', 'target audience', 'campaign').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'bombarded' INCORRECTLY?