amok

[ uh-muhk, uh-mok ]

noun

1. (among members of certain Southeast Asian cultures) a psychic disturbance characterized by depression followed by a manic urge to murder.

adjective

1. amuck.

amok

/ əˈmʌk; əˈmɒk; əˈmʌk /

noun

1. a state of murderous frenzy, originally observed among Malays

adverb

1. run amok
   to run about with or as if with a frenzied desire to kill

Word History and Origins

Origin of amok¹

First recorded in 1865–70, amok is from the Malay word amuk

Word History and Origins

Origin of amok¹

C17: from Malay amoq furious assault

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. run / go amok. amuck ( def 3 ).

Example Sentences

It would be facile and easy to argue that this level of emotion is characteristic of their “intimate male friendship” and their shared passion run amok.

From Salon

County sheriffs for the decades is the stream of allegations about tattooed internal gangs running amok at certain stations.

From Los Angeles Times

Republicans who have seized on the issue portray it as a deeply unfair example of “woke” politics run amok.

From Los Angeles Times

There was applause, tears, children running amok and flowers being thrown in the air.

From Los Angeles Times

“We have a bird flu outbreak. It’s running amok among dairy cattle and herds which are largely in the Central Valley,” said Hurtado.

From Los Angeles Times