rampant
Americanadjective
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violent in action or spirit; raging; furious.
a rampant leopard.
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growing luxuriantly, as weeds.
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in full sway; prevailing or unchecked.
a rampant rumor.
- Synonyms:
- unrestrained, widespread, rife
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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.
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Architecture. (of an arch or vault) springing at one side from one level of support and resting at the other on a higher level.
adjective
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unrestrained or violent in behaviour, desire, opinions, etc
-
growing or developing unchecked
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(postpositive) heraldry (of a beast) standing on the hind legs, the right foreleg raised above the left
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(of an arch) having one abutment higher than the other
Other Word Forms
- rampancy noun
- rampantly adverb
Etymology
Origin of rampant
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French, literally, “creeping, climbing,” present participle of ramper “to creep, crawl, climb”; ramp 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Unfortunately, it's something that largely goes unchecked," Amy Hunt said of social media, "it's somewhat allowed to run rampant".
From BBC
"We believe that there is rampant fraud, whether it be daycare centers, health care centers, or other organizations," she said.
From Barron's
The general justified deposing Condé on similar charges - including rampant corruption, disregard for human rights and economic mismanagement.
From BBC
Jerome Kramer, the sheriff of cattle-heavy Lincoln County, says cattle theft does happen, but is not as rampant as it could be if the state’s brand rules changed.
Fans last saw the inhabitants of Hawkins in a perilous place as season five opened, with Demogorgons running rampant, along with the monstrous Vecna.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
