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 of rampant

• 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

One of the biggest issues facing Wall Street and the nation recently is how long the rampant enthusiasm over artificial intelligence will last. —Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026

Ahead of the challenge, the players met at a beach and read a note instructing them to find an advantage that would grant one player power, leading to an immediate and rampant scramble through the island. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026

Meanwhile, broader accountability for Israeli soldiers’ role in supporting settlers and concrete action against rampant Israeli settler violence remains lacking. —Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026

Visitors are stunned seeing the rampant, deliberate obliteration of the character of Hillcrest. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

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