heftigsten

Heftigsten is the superlative form of the German adjective heftig. It denotes the utmost degree of intensity or force and is used to describe extreme examples of a quality, such as very strong emotions, violent events, or vehement reactions. The word is not a fixed noun but a grammatical form that can modify nouns or appear in adverbial expressions.

In attributive position before a noun, heftigsten appears in plural. For example: die heftigsten Stürme, die heftigsten Debatten. In singular form the standard superlative endings are der heftigste, die heftigste, das heftigste, with the ending adapting to gender and case (e.g., des heftigsten Sturms, den heftigsten Debatten). When used as an adverb, the corresponding expression is am heftigsten, meaning most intensely or most vehemently (Der Sturm tobte in der Nacht am heftigsten).

Common contexts for heftigsten include weather descriptions, social or political debates, media reporting, and evaluations of performances or events. The term conveys a strong sense of extremity and is often used in journalistic or descriptive prose to highlight peak intensity.

Translations to English are often context-dependent; heftigsten can be rendered as “the fiercest,” “the most intense,” “the strongest,” or “the most violent,” depending on the noun it accompanies. Related words include the base adjective heftig and other superlatives such as extremste or intensivste, used in similar patterns.

See also: German grammar on adjectives and the formation of superlatives, uses of am + adjective + sten for adverbs.