inundate

What does “inundate” mean?

verb.to overwhelm (someone) with things or people to be dealt with.

SAT Usage

this verb is often found in passages related to environmental issues, emotional experiences, or overwhelming situations. It emphasizes the intensity of being bombarded by an excessive amount of tasks or challenges, suggesting not just a large quantity but a sense of urgency and chaos that can lead to stress or inability to cope, differing from similar words like "overwhelm," which can imply just being overpowered without the specific connotation of excess.

Common Confusions

Inundate implies being overwhelmed by an excessive amount of tasks or challenges, while overwhelm usually suggests being overpowered without the specific connotation of excess.

Example Sentences

• The Dutch would sometimes inundate the land to hinder the Spanish army.

• The agency was inundated with phone calls.

• The sudden storm threatened to inundate the low-lying areas of the town, forcing residents to evacuate as floodwaters began to rise rapidly.

Word Parts: How to Remember “inundate”

Break “inundate” into its parts: in- (into). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: in- into (Latin)