Understanding the Meaning of Inundated

The question asks us to find the most appropriate synonym for the underlined word "inundated" in the sentence: "The celebrity was inundated with birthday wishes from his admirers." To find the correct synonym, let's first understand what "inundated" means in this context.

The word "inundated" means to be overwhelmed with things or people, or to be flooded. When someone is "inundated with birthday wishes," it means they received a very large number of wishes, so many that it felt like a flood, making them overwhelmed by the sheer volume.

Analyzing the Options for Inundated Synonym

Let's examine each of the given options and see how well they fit as a synonym for "inundated" in the context of receiving many birthday wishes:

• Annoyed: This means feeling slightly angry or irritated. Receiving many birthday wishes is generally considered a positive thing, and while someone might feel a little overwhelmed, feeling annoyed is not the primary or most common reaction implied by "inundated" in this context. It focuses on an emotional state of irritation, not the quantity received.
• Preoccupied: This means being engrossed in thought or busy with something else, to the exclusion of other things. Receiving wishes doesn't make someone preoccupied; they are the recipient of the action. This word describes a state of mind or activity, not the experience of receiving a large quantity of something.
• Rewarded: This means receiving something in recognition of service, effort, or achievement. Birthday wishes are expressions of goodwill and affection, not typically considered a reward for service or achievement. This option doesn't capture the sense of receiving a large volume.
• Overwhelmed: This means to be buried or drowned beneath a huge mass of something, or to be overcome by a vast amount or number. When someone receives an extremely large number of birthday wishes, they are likely to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume. This option perfectly captures the sense of being flooded with wishes, which is the core meaning of "inundated" in this sentence.

Selecting the Best Synonym

Comparing the options, "overwhelmed" is the word that best describes the experience of receiving such a large quantity of birthday wishes that it feels like a flood or is difficult to handle due to the volume. Therefore, "overwhelmed" is the most appropriate synonym for "inundated" in the given sentence.

Revision Table: Understanding Synonyms

Additional Information on the Word Inundated

"Inundated" can also refer to being covered with water, like when a river overflows and inundates the surrounding land. In a figurative sense, as used in the question, it means being swamped or overloaded with something non-physical, such as requests, emails, work, or in this case, birthday wishes. Other synonyms in different contexts could include flooded, swamped, overloaded, overwhelmed, buried, or deluged.