inundate
C1Formal/Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To flood; to overwhelm with a large amount of something, especially water.
To overwhelm someone with a large quantity of things (e.g., work, requests, information) delivered all at once.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies an excessive or unmanageable amount. Carries a negative connotation of being overwhelmed, though the context (e.g., 'inundated with support') can be positive.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in formal writing and news media than in casual conversation in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Sb] inundate [Sb] with [Sth][Sb] be inundated with/by [Sth]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no specific idioms, but often used in the phrase 'inundated with']”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
After the product launch, the support team was inundated with customer enquiries.
Academic
The researchers were inundated with data from the longitudinal study.
Everyday
Don't inundate me with all the details at once; just give me the headlines.
Technical
The coastal defences failed, and the storm surge inundated the low-lying farmland.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The heavy rains threaten to inundate the villages along the Thames.
- We've been inundated with applications for the scholarship.
American English
- The river is expected to inundate several neighborhoods after the dam breach.
- The senator's office was inundated with calls from angry constituents.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form.]
American English
- [No standard adverb form.]
adjective
British English
- [The adjective form 'inundatory' exists but is extremely rare and not recommended for learners.]
American English
- [The adjective form 'inundatory' exists but is extremely rare and not recommended for learners.]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The water inundated the street.
- The heavy rain inundated our basement.
- I feel inundated with homework this week.
- Following the TV appeal, the charity was inundated with donations.
- The new policy has inundated local councils with paperwork.
- The sheer volume of criticism threatened to inundate the nascent policy initiative.
- We must avoid inundating the audience with complex statistics during the presentation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'in' + 'und' (from Latin 'unda' meaning wave) + 'ate' → 'to put into waves' → to flood.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXCESS IS A FLOOD / INFORMATION/REQUESTS ARE WATER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'innate' (врождённый).
- The Russian verb 'затопить' is a close physical match, but 'inundate' is more formal and commonly used for abstract overwhelm (e.g., работой).
Common Mistakes
- Mispronunciation: /ˈaɪ.nʌn.deɪt/ (correct first vowel is /ɪ/ as in 'in').
- Incorrect preposition: 'inundate by requests' (use 'inundate with requests' or 'be inundated by/with').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST synonym for 'inundate' in the context of 'inundated with complaints'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its core meaning relates to flooding with water, its most common modern usage is figurative, meaning to overwhelm with a large amount of something (work, information, requests).
They are largely synonymous for water. 'Inundate' is more formal. For figurative use, 'inundate' is more specific and vivid, suggesting an unmanageable deluge, whereas 'flood' is more general.
Yes, though the primary sense is of being overwhelmed. For example, 'The team was inundated with support after their win' is positive but still emphasizes an unexpectedly large volume.
Both are correct and interchangeable. 'Inundated with' is slightly more common, especially for non-physical things (with requests). 'Inundated by' often (but not always) implies a more direct agent (by the floodwaters, by the media).