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

Environmental groups say rampant deforestation has exacerbated the devastation in Sumatra. —Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

This has created a valuable and potentially powerful industry, but also one rampant with skepticism, as even correct results can risk becoming second-guessed. —William Jones, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025

Our agents risk their lives every day arresting the worst of the worst criminals from Chicago’s streets to protect the public and stop rampant crime. —Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 2 Dec. 2025

In 2006, shortly before the facility closed, the Texas branch of the American Civil Liberties Union reported that abuse was rampant at the Marlin unit, where youth offenders enter the state justice system. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Nov. 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