adjective
rampant
RAM-punt/ˈræmpənt/
Spreading or growing excessively without control.
We struggle to keep rampant weeds out of our garden.
Etymology
The original image was an animal rearing on its hind legs. The sense of unchecked growth probably developed through “fierce” behavior, though it may instead preserve the older climbing sense.
In context
malaria was rampant ever since the collapse of the uh agricultural estates of the Roman Empire. Um once you were no longer getting rid of the swamps, of course, um malaria was in fact rampant in Italy
More examples
- Rumors run rampant whenever the company announces layoffs.
- Rampant corruption drains money from essential public services.
- The investigation reveals rampant fraud in insurance claims.
Forms
rampant
rampantly adverb — In an excessive and uncontrolled way.
Similar words
- unchecked
- Emphasizes the absence of limits or efforts to intervene.
- widespread
- Describes broad occurrence without necessarily suggesting excess or lost control.