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

Until city leaders and RTD officials address the rampant, dangerous behavior at our transit stops, everyday citizens will continue to avoid the bus system. — Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 2 Aug. 2026

Skubal has the Tigers at the center of the trade deadline, with other players such as Gleyber Torres all part of the rampant rumor mill. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Extreme heat, drought, hail and wildfires are rampant across the world, and fires are no longer just occasional tragedies. — Kate Dingwall, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026

This has fueled rampant consumer inflation across sectors amidst rising consumer unease and usurious 14% interest rates. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 30 July 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