inundate

[ in-uhn-deyt, -uhn- ]

verb (used with object)

, in·un·dat·ed, in·un·dat·ing.

1. to flood; cover or overspread with water; deluge.
2. to overwhelm:

   inundated with letters of protest.

   Synonyms: glut

inundate

/ ˈɪnʌnˌdeɪt /

verb

1. to cover completely with water; overflow; flood; swamp
2. to overwhelm, as if with a flood

   to be inundated with requests

Derived Forms

• ˈinunˌdator, noun
• ˌinunˈdation, noun
• ˈinundant, adjective

Other Words From

• in·un·da·tion [in-, uh, n-, dey, -sh, uh, n, -uhn-] noun
• in·un·da·tor noun
• in·un·da·to·ry [in-, uhn, -d, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inundate¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin inundātus, past participle of inundāre “to flood, overflow,” equivalent to in- in- ² + und(a) “wave” + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of inundate¹

C17: from Latin inundāre to flood, from unda wave

Synonym Study

See flood.

Example Sentences

March Town Council said it had been inundated with requests to try to replicate the "banana" shaped tree this year, and so it had asked its suppliers for one.

From BBC

The polls that inundated TV news in recent months projected the 2024 presidential race was going to be close.

From Los Angeles Times

Within a couple of days the school was inundated with threats and messages of hate from around the world.

From BBC

The city became inundated with hoax bomb threats that forced lockdowns, evacuations and closures at schools, government buildings and hospitals.

From Los Angeles Times

If you live in a place like Allentown or Bethlehem, on the other hand, you’ve been inundated.

From Salon

Related Words

• deluge
• engulf
• flood
• overflow
• overrun
• submerge
• swamp