rampant

[ram-puhnt]

adjective

1. violent in action or spirit; raging; furious.

   a rampant leopard.

2. growing luxuriantly, as weeds.

3. in full sway; prevailing or unchecked.

   a rampant rumor.

   Synonyms: unrestrained, widespread, rife

4. (of an animal) standing on the hind legs; ramping. ramp.

5. Heraldry.,  (of a beast used as a charge) represented in profile facing the dexter side, with the body upraised and resting on the left hind leg, the tail and other legs elevated, the right foreleg highest, and the head in profile unless otherwise specified.

   a lion rampant.

6. Architecture.,  (of an arch or vault) springing at one side from one level of support and resting at the other on a higher level.

rampant

/ ˈræmpənt /

adjective

1. unrestrained or violent in behaviour, desire, opinions, etc

2. growing or developing unchecked

3. (postpositive) heraldry (of a beast) standing on the hind legs, the right foreleg raised above the left

4. (of an arch) having one abutment higher than the other

Other Word Forms

• rampantly adverb
• rampancy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rampant¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French, literally, “creeping, climbing,” present participle of ramper “to creep, crawl, climb”; ramp ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of rampant¹

C14: from Old French ramper to crawl, rear; see _ramp

Example Sentences

In the intervening years, interpretive speculation about it has run rampant.

From Los Angeles Times

It should of course be noted that rampant online misinformation has also endangered the lives of prominent Democrats.

From Salon

The Coalition for Community Engagement, a group that supported the 2024 recall of Oakland’s mayor and Alameda County’s district attorney, pointed to the San José smash-and-grab as another example of crime run rampant.

From Los Angeles Times

Watters painted a picture of rampant left-wing political violence, telling his audience that the American left was “at war” with conservatives.

From Salon

He claims there is "rampant pressure and oppression" of opposition figures in politics, civil society, academia and the media.

From BBC

Related Words

• excessive 
• flagrant 
• growing 
• prevalent 
• raging www.thesaurus.com
• rife 
• runaway 
• spreading www.thesaurus.com
• unbridled 
• unchecked 
• uncontrollable 
• unhindered 
• unrestrained 
• wanton