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

Everyday architecture Instead, Liu seeks to redress some of the ills generated by his country’s rampant urbanization. —Oscar Holland, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025

While the number of overdose deaths fell by 16% in Connecticut from 2023-24, marking the third consecutive straight year of decline, the problem still remains rampant, state health officials said in January, the Stamford Advocate reported. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2025

In an era of rampant method dressing, Moore and her longtime stylist Brad Goreski ran a masterclass in subtlety. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2025

Grow in full sun with average soil. 05 of 09 Nasturtium Plant these edible flowers to add a near-instant look of rampant abundance to your potager or flower bed. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2025

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