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Welcome to the Voice of America’s News Words.
In early Septmeber, sever flooding destroyed much of the Libyan city of Derna.
Rampant
Heavy rains from a powerful storm burst two dams in the Mediterranean city causing rampant death and destruction. Multistory buildings were suddenly swept away with families inside. Officials say thousands have died with many more thousands still missing.
Rampant describes something spreading or increasing without restraint. We use it mostly when talking about something very bad — such as disease spread, crime and pollution.
*This article has been edited and reprinted from VOA Learning English with permission from Voice of America (VOA) for use in English language materials.