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

Derived Forms

• ˈrampancy, noun
• ˈrampantly, adverb

Other Words From

• rampant·ly adverb

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

He described climate change and immigration as parts of the same problem and decried “rampant urbanization and industrialization, ever expanding cities and shrinking forests, a complete removal of man from nature.”

From Salon

Can Claudia Sheinbaum save Mexico from rampant violence?

From Los Angeles Times

Despite widespread GOP claims that noncitizens are committing rampant voter fraud, federal law prohibits them from voting in presidential elections.

From Los Angeles Times

The first in the final episodes of the series premiered Sunday after rampant speculation about the future of Costner’s protagonist and as a slate of spin-offs have materialized.

From Los Angeles Times

At her husband’s Madison Square Garden rally just weeks before Election Day, she delivered short but pointed remarks in line with the Trump campaign's law and order messaging, painting New York City as a “great metropolis” in decline due to rampant crime.

From BBC

Related Words

• excessive
• flagrant
• growing
• prevalent
• raging
• rife
• runaway
• spreading
• unbridled
• unchecked
• uncontrollable
• unhindered
• unrestrained
• wanton