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
The technology spurred billions in corporate spending, pushed the stock market to record levels and prompted rampant speculation about a bubble.
—
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Jan. 2026
In 2018, with rampant hyperinflation and a migratory exodus underway, Maduro was reelected president in a vote boycotted by the opposition due to a lack of guarantees that the election would be free and fair.
—Germán Padinger, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
The bonuses were initially conceived as an antidote to rampant inflation in the late 1970s, which was eating into the value of retiree benefits.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
My son was innocent Despite the plunge in violent crime this year, the perception for some is that crime was rampant at certain points in a number of major cities.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rampant
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Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Jan. 2026
In 2018, with rampant hyperinflation and a migratory exodus underway, Maduro was reelected president in a vote boycotted by the opposition due to a lack of guarantees that the election would be free and fair.
—Germán Padinger, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
The bonuses were initially conceived as an antidote to rampant inflation in the late 1970s, which was eating into the value of retiree benefits.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
My son was innocent Despite the plunge in violent crime this year, the perception for some is that crime was rampant at certain points in a number of major cities.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rampant
Cite this Entry
“Rampant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rampant. Accessed 5 Jan. 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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