Rampage
/ˈræmˌpeɪdʒ/
nounverbB2
Definition
Rampage is when someone or something moves wildly and angrily, often breaking things or hurting others. It shows strong, uncontrolled action that causes trouble or damage. People, animals, or groups can go on a rampage.
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See It in Action
Noun: A violent, wild action causing damage or fear
- •The crowd went on a rampage after the game was lost.
- •The elephant went on a rampage, destroying everything in its path.
- •Vandals caused a rampage in the city center last night.
Verb: To act in a wild and violent way
- •The protesters rampaged through the streets, breaking windows.
- •The lion rampaged through the village, frightening the people.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "rampage" like "run" (A1 word), but with strong anger and destruction, not calm or normal running
- ✓Picture a bull running through a street, knocking over cars and fences, very loud and wild
- ✓It's the feeling when someone is very angry and can't stop themselves from breaking things or shouting
- ✓Sounds like "RAM-page" → imagine a strong ram (animal) hitting hard and moving fast causing damage
- ✓In stories or movies, a monster or angry crowd going on a rampage causes chaos and fear
- ✓NOT like "walk" (calm, slow), rampage is fast and violent movement
- ✓NOT like "fight" (usually two sides), rampage can be one person or group causing damage without stopping
- ✓NOT like "protest" (organized and often peaceful), rampage is uncontrolled and wild behavior
Try Other Words
- •Riot: a violent public disorder by a group (Use when the wild behavior involves many people protesting or fighting)
- •Frenzy: wild and uncontrolled activity or emotion (Use when emphasizing emotional wildness, not always violent)
- •Storm: to move angrily and forcefully (Use when describing fast, angry movement but less about damage)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "ram" (to hit hard) + "page" (from Old French "page" meaning a journey or movement, here combined to mean violent movement)
- •Etymology: From late 1500s, originally meaning to rush or move violently
- •Historical development: Used to describe wild, destructive behavior or violent attacks, often by animals or people
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for violent outbursts by people or animals causing damage or fear
- •Key insight: The word suggests not just movement but violent, angry, and uncontrolled action
Reflect & Connect
•What situations in your life or culture might cause people or groups to go on a rampage?
•How does the word "rampage" help us understand the difference between controlled anger and uncontrolled violence?
Fill in the blanks
1.The angry fans went on a rampage after their team ___ the match.
2.When animals rampage, they often cause ___ to the area around them.
3.A rampage is different from a peaceful protest because it is usually ___ and ___.
4.People sometimes say "go on a rampage" to describe someone losing ___ and control.
5.The police tried to stop the crowd that was rampaging ___ the streets.
6.After the argument, he rampaged ___ the room, knocking over furniture.
7.From a rampage, we can often infer that the person or animal feels ___ or ___ inside.