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

On social media, Michaels also spoke about rampant speculation surrounding her relationship with former costar Harper. —Jay Stahl, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025

In a time when discord and disconnection are rampant, Hiyer was created to offer something different—a chance to market your skills, find professional opportunities, and build community intentionally. —Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025

Intimidation, the misapplication of power, is rampant at every level of government. —Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025

This isn’t just a U.S. problem: Groundwater depletion is rampant in North Africa, the Middle East, the Tibetan Plateau and northern China, the study points out. —Mark Gongloff, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 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