What does intensest mean?
Intensest is the superlative of intense and means existing at the highest possible degree of strength, force, heat, pressure, emotion, or concentration. It is used when making a comparison and identifies the most intense member of a group or set: a place can have the intensest heat of the season, while a proposal may receive the intensest scrutiny. In everyday use, the word often conveys an impression of extremes, urgency, severity, or emotional force. It is standard in both British and American English. Because intensest can sound emphatic or slightly dramatic, writers may prefer “most intense” or a more precise alternative such as “most severe,” “most competitive,” or “most powerful” when their context does not require a superlative comparison.
adjectiveThe superlative form of intense, meaning having the greatest degree or strength of a particular quality, feeling, or condition.
- Having the greatest degree of strength, force, heat, pressure, emotion, or concentration.
"The storm outside was the intensest of the entire season."
"The intensest heat of the summer made the pavement shimmer."
"Her performance drew the intensest scrutiny from the judges."
Intensest is the point of maximum intensity: when “strong” is no longer enough, this is the word for the absolute peak.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of intensest
Intensest is formed by adding the superlative suffix -est to intense, an adjective derived through the Latin intensus, meaning “stretched,” “tight,” or “concentrated.” The same Latin root underlies intensity, tension, and intense. English began using intensest in the early 19th century, following the established comparative and superlative pattern of older adjectives.
Related word forms
How intensest is actually used
The word is the regular superlative of intense and is normally used when comparing two or more people, things, conditions, or experiences. It is often replaced by more intense in formal or highly concise writing, especially where the comparison is already clear.
Easily confused with intensest
Intensest is the superlative of intense; intense describes a strong degree, while intensest identifies the strongest degree among several possibilities.