rampant

adjective

ram·​pant ˈram-pənt 

 also  -ˌpant

1

a

: rearing upon the hind legs with forelegs extended

b

: standing on one hind foot with one foreleg raised above the other and the head in profile

—used of a heraldic animal

2

a

: marked by a menacing wildness, extravagance, or absence of restraint

rampant rumors

b

: profusely widespread

rampant weeds

rampantly adverb

Illustration of rampant

• a lion rampant

Synonyms

• abandoned
• intemperate
• raw
• runaway
• unbounded
• unbridled
• unchecked
• uncontrolled
• unhampered
• unhindered
• unrestrained

Examples of rampant in a Sentence

a weed that's rampant in this area

the mayor promised to put a stop to the rampant crime that plagued the city

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite the rampant overtime spending, Adams exempted the NYPD, the FDNY and the Sanitation Department from previous rounds of citywide budget cuts that had drastic impacts on some other agencies, including libraries, which were forced to eliminate universal Sunday service as a result. —Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 27 Dec. 2024

As Javier Cabral pointed out on the website L.A. Taco last week, the world’s richest man selling mezcal feels like exploitation and appropriation taken to a new level, even in an agave-spirits industry in which that is rampant. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024

Given Nolan's track record of a critical and commercial success, speculation about his next move has been rampant. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Dec. 2024

Additionally, respiratory viruses are rampant in winter, and regular exercise has been shown to enhance immunity and improve sleep quality. —Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rampaunt, rampand, borrowed from Anglo-French rampant "crawling, rampant (in heraldry)," from present participle of ramper "to climb, rear up on the hind legs, creep" — more at ramp entry 4

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing rampant

• run rampant

Kids Definition

rampant

adjective

ram·​pant ˈram-pənt 

 also  -ˌpant

1

: standing on the hind legs like a horse rearing

2

: not checked in growth or spread

rumor ran rampant

rampantly adverb