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

Others are here because their parents are seeking refuge from countries where violence is rampant and children are at risk of being forced into drug cartels, human trafficking or worse. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026

Since 2022, when the state published its audit report, California's Department of Public Health has issued enforcement actions against seven hospice facilities statewide — despite the state auditor warning that fraud was rampant. —Graham Kates, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026

There’d been a sense of foreboding since the French media giant completed its $2 billion takeover of South African pay-TV company MultiChoice last year, with the company mum on its post-merger plans and suspicion rampant that cost-cutting measures were in the cards. —Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 7 Mar. 2026

Trade deadline season always holds out some hope, as well as rampant rumor-mongering, that something big will happen and the B’s were the subject of much talk. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 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