cogent

adjective

co·​gent ˈkō-jənt 

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.

Synonyms

• compelling
• convincing
• conclusive
• strong

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 Report,  23 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 Journal,  24 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

Andor connected with critics and audiences in part because its revolutionaries make cogent arguments over and over about the insanity of authoritarianism. —Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025

Indeed, biologists know far more about how DNA turns into biochemistry and adult traits than engineers understand about how the numbers inside an AI yield cogent conversation and useful behavior. —Nate Soares, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025

This team was scrambling to put together a cogent, passable 53-man roster only a few weeks ago. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025

In fact, one cogent argument is that the very aspect of having the AI detect mental fragility might be a means of stirring people to consider their mental fragility, perhaps then seeking human therapy correspondingly. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025

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

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Kids Definition

cogent

adjective

co·​gent ˈkō-jənt 

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