amok
UK: əˈmɒk | US: əˈmɑːk
adv. in a frenzied or uncontrolled manner, often violently
n. a state of murderous frenzy (rare usage)
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"Amok" originates from the Malay word amuk, meaning "a furious attack or charge." It entered English in the 16th–17th centuries through colonial encounters, describing a cultural phenomenon in Southeast Asia where individuals (often warriors) would erupt into uncontrollable violence. The word’s spelling was anglicized but retained its original phonetic core. Unlike compound words, "amok" is a loanword with no separable morphemes in English. Its vivid imagery of frenzy persists in modern usage, often metaphorically (e.g., "running amok").
The rioters ran amok through the streets, destroying property.
After the caffeine overdose, he felt like his thoughts were running amok.
The virus spread amok due to poor containment measures.
In the legend, the warrior went amok, attacking anyone in his path.
The manager lost control, and the meeting descended into amok.