Swamped

Swamped is an adjective and the past participle of the verb to swamp. It is used to describe something that is overwhelmed by water or by a heavy workload, depending on the context.

Literal use: In maritime or flood contexts, a vessel or area is swamped when water enters or overwhelms it. A boat can be swamped when waves wash over the deck or hull, increasing its buoyancy burden and risking capsizing. In floods, low-lying areas can be swamped by rising water levels, leading to damage and inundation.

Figurative use: The term is also common in everyday speech to describe situations where people or organizations are overwhelmed with tasks, correspondence, or information, as in "I'm swamped with emails" or "The office is swamped this week."

Etymology: The word derives from the verb swamp, which originally referred to submerging or overwhelming with water and has since developed a broader figurative meaning.

See also: Flood, inundation, overwhelm, swamp (noun).