rampant

adjective

ram·​pant ˈram-pənt How to pronounce rampant (audio)
also -ˌpant
Synonyms of rampant
1
a
: rearing upon the hind legs with forelegs extended
b
: standing on one hind foot with one foreleg raised above the other and the head in profile
—used of a heraldic animal
2
a
: marked by a menacing wildness, extravagance, or absence of restraint
rampant rumors
b
: profusely widespread
rampant weeds
rampantly adverb

Illustration of rampant

Illustration of rampant
  • a lion rampant

Synonyms of rampant

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Examples of rampant in a Sentence

a weed that's rampant in this area the mayor promised to put a stop to the rampant crime that plagued the city
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And, wow, how that room has been made clear by rampant conjecture on social media. — Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 In fact, the recent regulations from the Treasury Department do little to hide the exclusion and theft rampant in the program. — Denise Forte, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026 At the same time, Sanaa sympathized with the police, who were far outnumbered by vandals, many of them young men from France’s poorest suburbs, where youth unemployment is rampant. — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 There was rampant looting in Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux and other cities, while the city hall in Limoges, which survived two world wars, was badly damaged by fire and its clock spire collapsed. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rampant

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rampaunt, rampand, borrowed from Anglo-French rampant "crawling, rampant (in heraldry)," from present participle of ramper "to climb, rear up on the hind legs, creep" — more at ramp entry 4

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rampant was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing rampant

Browse Nearby Words

rampancy
rampant
rampantly
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Cite this Entry

“Rampant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rampant. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rampant

adjective
ram·​pant ˈram-pənt How to pronounce rampant (audio)
also -ˌpant
1
: standing on the hind legs like a horse rearing
2
: not checked in growth or spread
rumor ran rampant
rampantly adverb
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