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
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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.
Some of these investments—particularly those meant to replace creaky equipment—seem like the types regulators may be inclined to greenlight even if inflation runs rampant or the economy enters a downturn.
The UN rights office called for more action to tackle rampant corruption and impunity in the poorest country in the Americas.
From Barron's
Like most Americans, we had never seen a McDonald’s, though rumors of their existence were rampant.
Haitians first became eligible for TPS in 2010 following a devastating earthquake and the country continues to suffer from severe poverty, rampant violence from heavily armed gangs and chronic political instability.
From Barron's
If the gossip ran rampant and Ba tried to force me to marry, I could still get another job and move into some cheap rooming house.
From Literature
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.
