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

• runaway
• uncontrolled
• raw

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

Their testimony reflects the rampant enthusiasm among businesses about the advent of AI—signaled also by the immense investments being poured into its adoption. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

His administration claims crime in those cities is rampant, despite statistics not always backing that up. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025

Overusing Fieldstone Fieldstone fireplaces were rampant in the 90s and early 2000s, as clients sought to add authenticity to gas fireboxes and new build homes. —Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025

The Premier League’s rising legal bills have been widely reported, but further proof of football’s rampant lawfare came with the publication last week of FIFA’s Football Tribunal Report 2024-25. —Matt Slater, New York Times, 7 Oct. 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