cogent

adjective

co·​gent ˈkō-jənt How to pronounce cogent (audio)
1
a
: appealing forcibly to the mind or reason : convincing
cogent evidence
b
: pertinent, relevant
a cogent analysis
2
: having power to compel or constrain
cogent forces
cogently adverb

Did you know?

A cogent argument is one that really drives its point home because it is clear, coherent, and readily understandable, and perhaps also because of the etymological history of cogent. Cogent comes from the Latin verb cogere, meaning “to drive or force together.” Something described as cogent fuses thoughts and ideas into a meaningful whole that others can readily grasp and accept. A cogent explanation is a convincing one, and cogent analysis has us nodding along because it is clear and pertinent. Cogere was formed in Latin by combining the prefix co- with the verb agere, “to drive, lead, or act,” a root which is also the source of our familiar noun agent. Handily enough, one definition of agent is “a means or instrument by which a guiding intelligence achieves a result.” It follows logically then that cogency is often a worthwhile agent, indeed.

Choose the Right Synonym for cogent

valid, sound, cogent, convincing, telling mean having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance.

valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.

a valid reason for being absent
a valid marriage

sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.

a sound proposal for reviving the economy

cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.

the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.

a convincing argument for welfare reform

telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.

a telling example of bureaucratic waste

Examples of cogent in a Sentence

… Honeyboy Edwards provides a cogent analysis of the shift within the blues over the years … David Hajdu, Mother Jones, September/October 2003
Your article provides cogent reading. Mario Cuomo, letter U.S. News & World Report23 Mar. 1992
Your arguments, whether or not one agrees with them, are generally cogent, and at times elegantly expressed. Willard R. Espy, letter Wall Street Journal24 Apr. 1990
The author … makes a cogent and finely nuanced case for the wisdom—indeed, the necessity of this vision. Marian Sandmaier, New York Times Book Review, 8 Feb. 1987
the results of the DNA fingerprinting were the most cogent evidence for acquittal
Recent Examples on the Web This cogent link between photography and writing presents pages from the book (published in 1993 as Journal du Dehors) alongside myriad works that are not limited by time or place, with Gary Winogrand, Daido Moriyama, Bernard Pierre Wolff, Marie-Paule Nègre and William Klein among the mix. Amy Verner, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2024 Now Butler returns with a cogent and deeply thoughtful case against the right’s attempts to limit ideas of gender to male and female, offering philosophical and historical evidence to support a fluid system in which all people might present authentically. Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 His sense of egalitarianism is testament to his cogent understanding of functions in a team – not everyone can be a sharpshooter, yet roles like cooks and mechanics are equally indispensable in the mechanics of overall mission success. Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2024 There is also a cogent and concise history of the violence and many injustices that have marked life in Palestinians’ shrinking territories. Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2023 By focusing only on a meritless defense about Low's reasons for the alleged conduit scheme, Kenner failed to provide a cogent theory of defense. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 18 Oct. 2023 But sometimes the government officials charged with speaking to the press manage to enhance our public discourse with cogent communication. James Freeman, WSJ, 27 Oct. 2023 The destructive storms that hit the Mediterranean region in 2023 provide a cogent case for the importance of adaptation. Mohammed Ombadi, The Conversation, 19 Sep. 2023 Last Friday’s Washington Week with The Atlantic on PBS might as well have been broadcast a year ago — a time when the press was still dedicated to debunking the notion that President Joe Biden was anything other than fit, cogent, and capable. Noah Rothman, National Review, 8 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cogent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin cōgent-, cōgens, present participle of cōgere "to drive together, gather, compress, force, compel," from co-, variant before a vowel and h of com- com- + agere "to drive (cattle), be in motion, do" — more at agent

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of cogent was in 1659

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Dictionary Entries Near cogent

Cite this Entry

“Cogent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cogent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cogent

adjective
co·​gent ˈkō-jənt How to pronounce cogent (audio)
1
: appealing forcibly to the mind : convincing
cogent evidence
a cogent argument
2
: being to the point : pertinent
some cogent remarks on the situation
cogently
ˈkō-jənt-lē
adverb

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