incoherent

adjective

in·​co·​her·​ent ˌin-kō-ˈhir-ənt 

-ˈher-

: lacking coherence: such as

a

: lacking normal clarity or intelligibility in speech or thought

incoherent with grief

b

: lacking orderly continuity, arrangement, or relevance : inconsistent

an incoherent essay

c

: lacking cohesion : loose

incoherently adverb

Did you know?

Something that is coherent holds or sticks together firmly, with resistance to separation (that is, it coheres). Coherent, ultimately from the Latin co- ("together") and haerēre ("to stick or cling"), entered English in the 16th century and almost from the beginning was used both of physical things ("coherent stone") and of things which hold together in a much less palpable way ("coherent thoughts"). Its antonym, incoherent, entered the language some decades later. Like coherent, incoherent can be applied to both the tangible and the intangible. But, whether we are speaking of sand or logic, all things incoherent have one thing in common: they do not hold together, literally or figuratively, in a unified or intelligible whole.

Synonyms

• choppy
• disconnected
• disjointed
• unconnected

Examples of incoherent in a Sentence

The fever made her incoherent.

He was very upset and practically incoherent after the accident.

The memo is completely incoherent.

Recent Examples on the Web

The protectionist defenses of them are so disjointed and incoherent that the reasons for their appeal are challenging to discern. —Joseph Palange, National Review, 16 Apr. 2025

When King visited him there, Fitzgerald was drunk and incoherent. —Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025

The text logs confirm, in dramatic fashion, that the contradictions are shaping policy, producing an internal debate over war and peace that proceeds on bizarre and incoherent terms. —Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 25 Mar. 2025

For Trump, running parallel approaches now—exploring cooperation while ramping up tariffs—is not necessarily incoherent. —Brendan Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for incoherent

• adherent
• coherent
• inherent

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Kids Definition

incoherent

adjective

in·​co·​her·​ent ˌin-kō-ˈhir-ənt 

-ˈher-

1

: not sticking closely or compactly together : loose

2

: not clearly or logically connected

told an incoherent story

3

: not clear or understandable in speech or thought

incoherent with grief

incoherently adverb

Medical Definition

incoherent

adjective

in·​co·​her·​ent -ənt 

: lacking clarity or intelligibility usually by reason of some emotional stress

incoherent speech

incoherently adverb