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

The fever made him incoherent.

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 of incoherent

• confusing
• inconsistent
• disjointed
• confused
• frustrating
• bizarre
• absurd
• disconnected
• ridiculous
• unconnected
• meaningless

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

If Fuentes was just some unknown crank with a megaphone shouting his incoherent ideas at a city intersection, perhaps platforming them would serve little purpose. —Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025

Without this cognitive translation, day-to-day stressors may dictate overall sense of well-being, or the mix and shifts between positive and negative parts of parenting may make life seem overall incoherent for these fathers. —Anthony Vaccaro, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2025

Most modern corporations are doing exactly that — constantly performing new, incoherent rituals. —Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025

Some lauded Coppola for his ambition and refusal to play it safe, but the praise was exceeded by criticism, with the movie being called incoherent and self-indulgent. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 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