Words / C1

IN-und-ayt/ˈɪnʌndeɪt/

To inundate is to flood a place with water, or to overwhelm someone with things: inundated with appeals, fields inundated. Overwhelm is the close twin in the figurative sense; a flood of foyer emails is not a completed occupancy check.

Meaning

To flood a place with water, or to overwhelm someone with things to deal with.

Examples

• “Do not inundate the methods page with foyer adjectives; write the n.”
• “An inbox inundated with foyer mail is not a completed occupancy check.”
• “Flood is the physical twin. Overwhelm is the figurative twin. Mail is a channel. A count of seats is a certificate. Count the seats; then empty the inbox if the cap still holds.”

Good to know

Flood, or overwhelm with volume. Close: overwhelm. Foyer mail ≠ a check.

Near in meaning

flood, overwhelm

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