Meaning & use
rampage
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A period of wild, destructive behavior by a person or group.
Grammar: Usually used in the phrase 'go on a rampage' or after 'on the'. Countable: a rampage, the rampage.
Patterns
- go on a rampage
- be on a rampage
- a rampage through something
The fans went on a rampage after the match, throwing bottles and breaking windows.
A man went on a rampage in the office, smashing computers.
The elephant was on a rampage through the village, destroying huts.
verbintransitive
To move around violently and destructively, causing chaos.
Grammar: No object; often followed by 'through' or 'around'.
Patterns
- rampage through something
- rampage around
The protesters rampaged through the city center, setting fires.
A gang rampaged around the neighborhood, damaging cars.
The soldiers rampaged through the town, looting shops.
Word forms
| plural | rampages |
|---|---|
| third person singular | rampages |
| past tense | rampaged |
| past participle | rampaged |
| -ing form | rampaging |
Common combinations
- go on a rampage
- The prisoners went on a rampage, breaking furniture.
- on the rampage
- The dog was on the rampage, chasing everyone.
- a rampage through
- The herd went on a rampage through the fields.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- rampageous adjective
- Behaving in a wild, destructive way.
- rampager noun
- A person who goes on a rampage.
Practice
The protesters _____ through the streets, breaking windows and setting fires.
Choose one answer.
The past tense 'rampaged' fits because the action is completed. 'Rampage' is the base form and would need an auxiliary like 'did'; 'rampaging' is a participle and needs a helper verb; 'rampages' is present tense but doesn't agree with the plural subject.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rampage”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.