cogent

co·gent

adjective \ˈkō-jənt\

Definition of COGENT

1

: having power to compel or constrain <cogent forces>

2

a : appealing forcibly to the mind or reason : convincing <cogent evidence>

b : pertinent, relevant <a cogent analysis>

— co·gent·ly adverb

Examples of COGENT

1. <the results of the DNA fingerprinting were the most cogent evidence for acquittal>
2. … Honeyboy Edwards provides a cogent analysis of the shift within the blues over the years … —David Hajdu, Mother Jones, September/October 2003
3. Your article provides cogent reading. —Mario Cuomo, letter, U.S. News & World Report, 23 Mar. 1992
4. Your arguments, whether or not one agrees with them, are generally cogent, and at times elegantly expressed. —Willard R. Espy, letter, Wall Street Journal, 24 Apr. 1990
5. 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

Origin of COGENT

Latin cogent-, cogens, present participle of cogere to drive together, collect, from co- + agere to drive — more at agent

First Known Use: 1659

Related to COGENT

Synonyms

compelling, conclusive, convincing, decisive, effective, forceful, persuasive, satisfying, strong, telling

Antonyms

inconclusive, indecisive, ineffective, uncompelling, unconvincing, unpersuasive

Related Words

authoritative, definitive; sound, valid, well-founded; important, significant, weighty; material, pertinent, relevant

Near Antonyms

groundless, invalid, shaky, unfounded, unsound; inconsequential, insignificant, unimportant; immaterial, irrelevant; feeble, weak

See Synonym Discussion at valid