rant

[ rant ]

verb (used without object)

1. to speak or declaim extravagantly or violently; talk in a wild or vehement way; rave:

   The demagogue ranted for hours.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter or declaim in a ranting manner.

noun

1. ranting, extravagant, or violent declamation.

   Synonyms: extravagance, bombast

2. a ranting utterance.

rant

/ rænt /

verb

1. to utter (something) in loud, violent, or bombastic tones
2. intr to make merry; frolic

noun

1. loud, declamatory, or extravagant speech; bombast
2. a wild revel
3. an energetic dance or its tune

Derived Forms

• ˈranter, noun
• ˈranting, adjectivenoun
• ˈrantingly, adverb

Other Words From

• ranter noun
• ranting·ly adverb
• outrant verb (used with object)
• un·ranting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rant¹

First recorded in 1590–1600, rant is from the Dutch word ranten (obsolete) to talk foolishly

Word History and Origins

Origin of rant¹

C16: from Dutch ranten to rave; related to German ranzen to gambol

Example Sentences

Supporters and critics of a Moreno Valley history teacher who was placed on leave after a profane anti-Trump rant in class clashed over his fate at Tuesday’s Moreno Valley Unified District board meeting.

From Los Angeles Times

As Jamelle Bouie writes in the New York Times, “This brings us to the second thing you must keep in mind if you want to understand Trump. He may rant and he may rave, but his rantings and ravings aren’t static; they carry meaning, even if the signal is hard to find in the noise.”

From Salon

Jon Stewart’s “quick message” to election pollsters was an expletive-laden, scream-filled rant that coincided with the result of President Trump winning reelection on Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

The first time we heard our daughter’s anti-Trump rant earlier in the year, around the time VP Harris became the presumptive nominee, we laughed, not knowing where it came from.

From Salon

Gibson remains a controversial Hollywood figure as the once sought-after actor has been in hot water for years because of his infamous DUI arrest, where he spewed an antisemitic rant.

From Salon

Related Words

• diatribe
• harangue
• oration
• rhetoric
• tirade