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

Courts were backed up, the jail population rose once again, and absenteeism became rampant among corrections officers. —Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 11 May 2026

Residents who spoke with the Associated Press expressed concerns about safety and public services but bristled at stereotypes about rampant crime. —Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026

Residents who spoke with The Associated Press expressed concerns about safety and public services but bristled at stereotypes about rampant crime. —ABC News, 9 May 2026

Traders placed bets totalling more than $7 billion right before major US announcements relating to the Iran war, prompting accusations of rampant corruption in Washington. —Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 8 May 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