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Synonyms

rampant

American  
[ram-puhnt] / ˈræm pənt /

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Gloucestershire and England left-armer David Payne also took 2-35 on his IPL debut - he was signed as a late injury replacement at Sunrisers - but his side were unable to stop RCB's rampant chase.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Wales were rampant with another Rees-Zammit chase creating havoc in the Italy defence.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Environmentalists have condemned the expansion of illegal mining in the area, saying it has caused rampant deforestation and river pollution.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

All I know . . . the ghoul Antinous said, Victory runs rampant in Olympia.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

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.