Illustration of rampant
- a lion 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
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
In an era of rampant grade inflation, any opportunity to objectively showcase academic credentials beyond the high school context is worth pursuing.
—
Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
The president pressed Nigeria last fall to take more action against terrorism, accusing the country of failing to deal with rampant violence against Christians.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 16 May 2026
These included errant missiles landing on its territory; a severe energy crisis after Moscow dramatically reduced gas supplies; rampant inflation; and protests by pro-Russia parties against the pro-Western government.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
In other corners, opinions ran hot about rampant nudity in the Austrian Pavilion.
—Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rampant
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Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
The president pressed Nigeria last fall to take more action against terrorism, accusing the country of failing to deal with rampant violence against Christians.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 16 May 2026
These included errant missiles landing on its territory; a severe energy crisis after Moscow dramatically reduced gas supplies; rampant inflation; and protests by pro-Russia parties against the pro-Western government.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
In other corners, opinions ran hot about rampant nudity in the Austrian Pavilion.
—Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rampant
Cite this Entry
“Rampant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rampant. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rampant
adjective
ram·pant
ˈram-pənt 
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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