What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deluge
Example
The city experienced a deluge of rain last night. [deluge: noun]
Example
The news was deluged with reports of the scandal. [deluged: past tense verb]
inundate
Example
I am inundated with work this week. [inundated: past participle verb]
Example
The town was inundated by the river after the heavy rains. [inundate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inundate is more commonly used in everyday language than deluge. Inundate is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while deluge is less common and more specific to situations involving heavy rain or floods.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deluge and inundate?
Both deluge and inundate are formal words, but inundate may be slightly more formal due to its Latin origin and usage in academic or professional settings.