Definition of rampant
1a : rearing upon the hind legs with forelegs extendedb : standing on one hind foot with one foreleg raised above the other and the head in profile —used of a heraldic animal
2a : marked by a menacing wildness, extravagance, or absence of restraint rampant rumorsb : profusely widespread rampant weeds
rampantly
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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 of rampant from the Web
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Drugs, guns and violence Addiction to heroin or crystal meth is rampant on Las Vegas Trail.
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Opioid abuse is rampant in states like Ohio, where paramedics are increasingly spending time responding to overdoses and where coroners’ offices are running out of room to store bodies.
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In the capital, many are struggling to survive amid rampant inflation, and residents remain deeply apprehensive about the future.
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In 2007, the Justice Department established a Medicare Fraud Strike Force to battle rampant health-care scams in Miami.
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Too many schools that call themselves Christian (irrespective of denominational affiliation, if any) have bought into educational fads, including rampant diagnosing and medicating.
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The Herald glossed over Mugabe's minor potential ethical kerfuffles during the Cancun junket and other trips, the jailing and torturing of political dissidents, and rampant government corruption.
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Sleeping next to someone is like sleeping next to a space heater and/or rampant fire.
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Human rights abuses ran rampant during that time, and many who opposed the government were tortured, jailed and made to disappear.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rampant'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of rampant
Origin and Etymology of rampant
Middle English, from Anglo-French, present participle of ramper
First Known Use: 14th century
RAMPANT Defined for English Language Learners
rampant
playDefinition of rampant for English Language Learners
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—used to describe something that is very common or that is spreading very quickly and in a way that is difficult to control
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: growing quickly and in a way that is difficult to control
RAMPANT Defined for Kids
rampant
playDefinition of rampant for Students
: existing or growing greatly and quickly Fear was rampant in the town.
Learn More about rampant
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rampant Spanish Central: Translation of rampant Nglish: Translation of rampant for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rampant for Arabic speakers
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