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inrush

inrush

1 6.4
A sudden flow of water or people into a place
  • noun
  • /ˈɪnˌrʌʃ/
translation icon : afluencia
  • The inrush of air easily overcame the natural ground wind, which had a maximum velocity of 30 to 40 miles per hour two to three hours after the explosion.
  • inrush of current

Examples

  • During the concert, there was an inrush of fans rushing to get closer to the stage.

  • A sudden inrush of fresh air made me wince and shut my eyes.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • In East Germany, the postcommunist vacuum was filled, at least temporarily, by an inrush of West German politicians and organizations.

    Academic text (1990)
  • In April 1991, it was not so much the cyclone that killed 200,000 or more people; rather, it was the inrush of seawater that drowned them.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Then pop these bubbles, and let us out!" I snatched a breath as the forward hemisphere dissolved and felt a tug as my ears popped, followed by an inrush of cold air.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The sudden inrush of cold water made everyone gasp as they jumped into the lake.

  • The strong winds caused an inrush of leaves that swirled around the yard.

Synonyms

influx
vsinrush
59 4.1

A large number of people or things arriving at a place

is about a sudden surge, not only general arrival
flush
vsinrush
19 3.1

A sudden flow of water that moves quickly

is not limited to liquids and applies to people or substances too
inflow
vsinrush
10 4.0

Movement of water, money or other things into a place

is sudden and brief, not just a general ongoing movement
onrush
vsinrush
1 6.3

A sudden strong forward movement like an attack by soldiers

is about sudden inward arrival, not an attacking forward charge
inrushing
vsinrush
6.8

A sudden movement inward of water, air, or people

is broader as the sudden arrival of liquids, people, or substances
inpour
vsinrush
  • Archaic
7.9

A sudden flow of people or things into a place

is sudden rather than just any ordinary inflow
inpouring
vsinrush
  • Archaic
7.8

A large flow of people, things, or feelings into a place

is physical and sudden, not mainly abstract emotion or thought

Antonyms

44 1.4

The act of letting liquid flow out

outflow
  • Specialized
13 4.6

Movement of water, gas or money out of a place

How Intense

deluge
11 6.3
torrent
6 4.4
surge
143 4.2
inrush
1 6.4
influx
59 4.1

Surface Forms

inrush singular
inrushes plural

Morphology

inrush = inrush (transparent) = in + rush

The noun is a straightforward conversion from the verb meaning the act or event of rushing inward.

Etymology

Inrush combines in- meaning 'into' and rush meaning 'move quickly'. So it describes a sudden flow or arrival into a place, like an inrush of water, people, or energy.