mächtiger

Mächtiger is the comparative form of the German adjective mächtig, meaning more powerful or mighty. It is used to compare two or more subjects in terms of power, influence, or authority. The form appears in both attributive and predicative positions, with the usual German declension affecting its ending according to case, gender, and article. For example: Dieser Plan ist mächtiger als jener. Er ist mächtiger geworden.

In attributive use, mächtiger is inflected to match the noun: eine mächtigere Armee, ein mächtiger Mann, eine mächtigere Nation. In predicative use, the adjective often follows forms of sein or werden: Er ist mächtiger geworden; Die Nation ist mächtiger als früher.

Etymology and cognates: Mächtig comes from Old High German mahtig, from Proto-Germanic *mahtiz, related to the English word might and to the German noun Macht (power). The comparative suffix -er is a common German derivational ending used to form the comparative degree from adjectives.

Usage notes: Mächtig carries strong connotations of authority, influence, or physical strength. It is common in political, military, historical, and formal contexts, but can also appear in everyday language to intensify statements about capability. In many contexts, synonyms such as stärker or mächtiger can be used depending on nuance. The superlative form is am mächtigsten or der mächtigste.

See also: mächtig, macht. In English, the equivalent adjective is mighty or powerful.