What does the verb "inundate" typically mean?

The verb "inundate" typically means to flood or overwhelm by numbers. This word originates from the Latin "inundare," which means "to overflow." In its most common usage, it refers to a situation where a place or a person is overwhelmed by a large quantity of something, such as water, tasks, or information. For instance, one might say that a city is inundated after a heavy rainstorm, or that a manager feels inundated with paperwork during a busy period.

The other choices, while having their own meanings, do not capture the essence of "inundate." For example, decreasing in number suggests a reduction rather than an overwhelming abundance, arranging neatly implies organization rather than an influx, and simplifying and clarifying pertains more to making something easier to understand, which strays from the concept of being overwhelmed. Understanding "inundate" in its proper context allows for better comprehension of its implications in various scenarios.