trickiest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trickiest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is the most difficult or challenging among a group of options. Example: "This puzzle is the trickiest one I've ever encountered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The schedule that was trickiest to navigate was not the Queen's but Daniel Craig's: he had to be released from the set of Skyfall.

The Guardian - Film

Some of the trickiest meetings I had with Margaret concerned the development of the national curriculum after the 1987 election.

The Guardian

This is definitely the trickiest part because it needs the most attention – if it doesn't hit exactly the right temperature, you run the risk of undoing the whole endeavour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is probably the trickiest aspect of summer rolls, but a little practice makes perfect.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As could Herman Van Rompuy, chairing the Ypres summit and trying to solve one of the trickiest puzzles the Belgian has ever grappled with.

The Guardian

Consumers, not governments, can then choose what they eat and trade can remain free.Green dilemmasThe trickiest problems over trade and greenery are cases when pollution or other damage spills from one country to another.

The Economist

With an encouraging smile, a co-worker pulled up a trouser leg to reveal his own scarred shin.Because the pickers were squatting or kneeling under the vines and twisting to reach up for the grapes (the low-hanging fruit proving the trickiest), their necks and shoulders were soon in agony.

The Economist

"The conventional army loses if it does not win .The trickiest part for outsiders is getting both sides into painful positions at the same time.

The Economist

But such visits do not translate into better investment performance anyway, says one of its employees; they were only ever a piece of selling, and lots of company visits were often squeezed in on the last day of the financial year.Piggy in the middleMedium-sized fund managers will find themselves in the trickiest spot.

The Economist

In one of its trickiest cases, Spain's constitutional court will decide shortly whether to strike out parts of an autonomy charter, passed in 2006 by Spain's parliament and approved in a referendum by Catalonia's 5.5m voters.

The Economist

Mr Bush retorted that "terror cells and outlaw regimes building weapons of mass destruction are different faces of the same evil .Perhaps the trickiest question of all is "Why now?" Mr Bush argued that the terrorist attacks on September 11th last year woke America up to threats it had previously been tempted to ignore.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation or task, use "trickiest" to highlight the element that requires the most skill and care, thus guiding your audience towards the critical point.

Common error

While "trickiest" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in informal conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "hardest" or "most difficult" for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The word "trickiest" functions as a superlative adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that it possesses the highest degree of trickiness or difficulty compared to others. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly forms the superlative of the adjective "tricky".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trickiest" is the superlative form of "tricky", used to denote the highest level of difficulty or complexity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness in various contexts. It's most frequently found in News & Media sources, indicating its utility in describing challenging situations and complex problems. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in very informal settings. Alternatives like "most challenging" or "most difficult" can provide simpler options when needed. Its consistent presence in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian reinforces its credibility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most challenging

Replaces "trickiest" with a more direct synonym focusing on the level of challenge.

most difficult

Offers a simpler and more common way to express the highest degree of difficulty.

most complex

Emphasizes the intricate and multifaceted nature of the subject.

most demanding

Highlights the high requirements and effort needed.

most problematic

Focuses on the troubles and issues associated with the subject.

most intricate

Similar to "most complex", but with a focus on fine details.

most sensitive

Implies that the situation requires careful handling due to potential negative consequences.

most delicate

Similar to "most sensitive", suggesting fragility and the need for gentle handling.

most awkward

Indicates a situation that is uncomfortable or embarrassing to deal with.

most thorny

Emphasizes the challenging and irritating aspects of a problem.

FAQs

How to use "trickiest" in a sentence?

"Trickiest" is the superlative form of tricky, meaning most difficult or requiring the most skill. For example, "This is the trickiest part of the recipe, so pay close attention."

What can I say instead of "trickiest"?

You can use alternatives like "most challenging", "most difficult", or "most complex" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "trickiest" or "most tricky"?

"Trickiest" is generally preferred as the superlative form of "tricky". While "most tricky" isn't grammatically incorrect, "trickiest" is more concise and commonly used.

What's the difference between "trickiest" and "toughest"?

"Trickiest" implies a situation requiring cunning or cleverness to navigate, while "toughest" emphasizes resilience and endurance in facing hardship. The choice depends on whether the challenge is about mental acuity or physical/emotional strength.