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

Dengue and malaria run rampant, and cholera, introduced by United Nations peacekeepers from Nepal after the 2010 earthquake, has killed 10,000 and infected nearly 1 million more. — Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

Hungary were rampant and won 8-3 in that group game, though it should be noted that many of West Germany’s players had been rested. — Will Jeanes, New York Times, 20 June 2026

The report comes as the rupiah sits at a record low versus the dollar, with questions about the country’s fiscal health rampant and trouble with capital outflows. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 19 June 2026

With steady yearly increases, Europe remains a resilient market for Eleventy, while South Korea has experienced rampant growth, Baldassari said, noting that the brand’s partner in the country will open the eighth flagship before the end of year at the Shinsegae department store. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 19 June 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