amuck

[ uh-muhk ]

adjective

1. mad with murderous frenzy.

noun

1. amok.

amuck

/ əˈmʌk /

noun

1. See amok
   a variant of amok

Word History and Origins

Origin of amuck¹

First recorded in 1510–20; variant of amok

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. run / go amuck,
   1. to rush about in a murderous frenzy:

      The maniac ran amuck in the crowd, shooting at random.

   2. to rush about wildly; lose self-control:

      When the nightclub caught fire the patrons ran amuck, blocking the exits.

Example Sentences

If you give steroids to a patient who is not yet exhibiting signs of an overactive immune system, you may actually make them sicker by allowing SARS-CoV-2 to run amuck.

From Popular-Science

I learned to swing an axe by cutting down saplings, and ran "amuck" among them just as my elders did among the larger trees.

From Project Gutenberg

The elephant was not running amuck, though he might eventually work himself into that blind ungovernable rage.

From Project Gutenberg

As a wild beast is tied to keep it from running amuck, so the Law bridles mad and furious man to keep him from running wild.

From Project Gutenberg

His men were hoisting aboard the three dripping, sputtering passengers who had run amuck.

From Project Gutenberg

Here they were back in civilization, and her man of the woods was straightway running amuck.

From Project Gutenberg