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

The data centers that power artificial intelligence are being built at a rampant pace, and are spurring resistance all over the country. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026

In at least one instance, a guard was convicted of rampant abuse over roughly a decade and sentenced to 224 years in prison. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Murder-suicides rampant in the US About nine murder-suicides happen each week in the United States, according to a study released in April by the research group Violence Policy Center. — Tim Hrenchir, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Chelsea have now gobbled up 17 non-‘Big Six’ players in the past decade, something which speaks to both their rampant transfer activity and a seeming preference for young players already proven in England’s top division. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 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