rampage

[ram-peyj, ram-peyj, ram-peyj]

noun

1. violent or excited behavior that is reckless, uncontrolled, or destructive.

2. a state of violent anger or agitation.

   The smallest mistake sends him into a rampage. The river has gone on a rampage and flooded the countryside.

verb (used without object)

rampaged, rampaging 

1. to rush, move, or act furiously or violently.

   a bull elephant rampaging through the jungle.

   Synonyms: tear, rage, storm

rampage

verb

1. (intr) to rush about in an angry, violent, or agitated fashion

noun

1. angry or destructive behaviour

2. behaving violently or destructively

Other Word Forms

• rampager noun
• rampageous adjective
• rampageously adverb
• rampageousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rampage¹

First recorded in 1705–15; ramp ¹ + -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of rampage¹

C18: from Scottish, of uncertain origin; perhaps based on _ramp

Idioms and Phrases

see on a rampage.

Example Sentences

Since April, the animals have killed a record 13 people across the country, with a steady flow of reports of bears entering homes, roaming near schools and rampaging in supermarkets.

Read more on Barron's

Though the assassinations of other public figures in Mexico have triggered outrage, the recent killing of Carlos Manzo, a mayor in Michoacán, has left many Mexicans wondering if the government can ever confront rampaging cartels.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Still, militant cattle-herders, rampaging through towns and villages, have killed at least hundreds of Christians this year, including 10 on Monday in the central Nigerian village of Anwule.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The animals have killed a record 13 across the country since April, with a steady flow of reports of bears entering homes, roaming near schools and rampaging in supermarkets.

Read more on Barron's

While the main RSF force rampaged through el-Fasher, a separate group of fighters remained on the periphery of the city, where they engaged in the brutal executions of a number of unarmed captives.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• binge 
• destruction 
• disturbance 
• frenzy 
• orgy 
• spree 
• turmoil