Definition

1. Adverb:

   • In a frenzied, uncontrolled, and violent manner: Describes behaving wildly, often with destructive or murderous intent, as if in a sudden fit of madness.
   • In a state of uncontrolled excitement or activity: Can also describe a situation or group acting in a chaotic, disorderly way.

2. Adjective:

   • Frenzied; berserk: In a state of wild or violent mental disturbance. (Note: This adjectival use is less common than the adverbial form and is often seen as "amuck").

Usage and Examples

• Adverb:

  • After the verdict was announced, the angry mob ran amok through the streets.
  • When the alarm sounded, the crowd panicked and ran amok, making it difficult to evacuate.
  • The virus in the computer system ran amok, corrupting files across the network.

• Adjective:

  • The soldier, driven by trauma, became completely amok. (Often interchangeable with "amuck" in this form).
  • He was amok with rage, shouting at everyone in the room.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The phrase "to run amok" is the most common and fixed collocation. It originates from Malay/Indonesian culture, describing a specific syndrome of sudden, indiscriminate violent behavior.
• "Amok" is often used metaphorically to describe any force, situation, or entity that becomes uncontrollably chaotic.
  • Without regulations, speculation in the market could run amok.
• The variant spelling "amuck" is equally acceptable, especially in adjectival use or in the phrase "run amuck."

Variants and Related Words

• Amuck (adj/adv): An alternative spelling of "amok."
• Berserk (adj/adv): Behaving in a wild, frenzied, and violent manner. A close synonym.
• Frenzied (adj): Wildly excited or uncontrolled.
• Rampaging (adj): Rushing around in a wild and violent way.

Synonyms

• Wildly
• Uncontrollably
• Violently
• Furiously
• Chaotically

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Run amok/amuck: To behave in a wild, frenzied, and uncontrolled manner.
  • The children ran amok when the teacher left the classroom.
• Go amok: A less common variant with the same meaning.
  • If the system fails, the machines could go amok.

Adjective

1. frenzied as if possessed by a demon
   • the soldier was completely amuck
   • berserk with grief
   • a berserk worker smashing windows

Adverb

1. in a murderous frenzy
   • rioters running amuck and throwing sticks and bottles and stones
2. wildly; without self-control
   • when the restaurant caught fire the patrons ran amuck, blocking the exit