What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inundate
Example
The river overflowed and inundated the nearby town. [inundated: past tense]
Example
I was inundated with emails after my vacation. [inundated: past participle]
overwhelm
Example
I was overwhelmed with happiness when I got the job offer. [overwhelmed: past tense]
Example
The amount of homework assigned can overwhelm students. [overwhelm: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overwhelm is more commonly used than inundate in everyday language. Overwhelm is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while inundate is less common and has a more specific meaning related to flooding.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between inundate and overwhelm?
Both inundate and overwhelm can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but inundate may be considered more formal due to its less frequent usage in everyday language.
