amuck

[ uh-muhk ]

adjective

1. mad with murderous frenzy.

noun

1. amok.

amuck

/ əˈmʌk /

noun

1. a variant of amok

Word History and Origins

Origin of amuck¹

First recorded in 1510–20; variant of amok

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. run / go amuck,
   1. to rush about in a murderous frenzy:

      The maniac ran amuck in the crowd, shooting at random.

   2. to rush about wildly; lose self-control:

      When the nightclub caught fire the patrons ran amuck, blocking the exits.

Example Sentences

In “The Simpsons,” corruption runs amuck at FIFA, ultimately ending in the arrest of the vice president of world soccer’s governing body.

From Los Angeles Times

I hate to break it to these "devoted" religious followers: The Bible says absolutely nothing about allowing people to run amuck with guns.

From Salon

“We all felt that the cowardly assassin had run amuck and might be lurking in the thick forest waiting a chance to get another victim,” Cherrie wrote.

From Literature

“Jordan epitomized pragmatism run amuck,” White writes, in a major understatement.

From Los Angeles Times

Giuliani went to the Mark Hotel for what he believed to be a hard-hitting interview centered on Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic when a scantily-clad Baron Cohen had run amuck.

From Fox News