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.
The White House has repeatedly touted the economic impact that the sanctions have had on Iran, citing its rampant inflation and the massive loss in the value of its currency. — Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 The third-country deportations also include places so dangerous the State Department warns Americans to not travel there, like the Central African Republic, a landlocked country where armed conflict and violent crime are rampant. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026 For generations, the women sustain a world of warmth and care amid what Fleetwood calls a family curse, as the men’s lives are beset by mass incarceration and rampant gun violence. — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026 The unrest appeared to have been triggered by grievances over rising insecurity, including rampant jihadi attacks that have led to the mass killing of soldiers in the last year. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 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

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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 8 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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