rampant

adjective

ram·​pant ˈram-pənt How to pronounce rampant (audio)
 also  -ˌpant
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

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
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Homelessness is still rampant — and the idea of homeownership feels like a cruel joke to the many millions of households in the Golden State with income far higher than the national median of $75,000. U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2025 With both systems under one leader, speculation is rampant that Broward’s two health districts will merge. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025 Speculation on casting for the project has been rampant, with many fans taking to social media to name Euphoria‘s Hunter Schafer as their pick for the part of Zelda. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 July 2025 At this criminal trial there was testimony of rampant drug use of all kinds of drugs involved, so on balance the criminal case helped us a great deal. Claudia Rosenbaum, Vulture, 14 July 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rampant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rampant. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on rampant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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