What does it mean if something is described as rampant?

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Study for the SAT Vocabulary 2025 Test. Master vocabulary with flashcards and questions, each with detailed explanations. Get ready for your exam!

When something is described as rampant, it refers to a condition or situation that is growing or spreading without any restraints or limitations. This term often conveys a sense of wildness or unrestrained growth, suggesting that it has exceeded healthy, manageable levels. For example, rampant weeds in a garden indicate that they are flourishing uncontrollably, which can lead to an overwhelming or undesirable situation.

The other options do not align with this definition: being controlled implies limits and oversight, while being righteous suggests moral correctness rather than unrestrained growth. Finally, restricted indicates limitations, which is the opposite of what "rampant" implies. Hence, the definition of "growing without check" aptly captures the essence of the term.