COGENCY Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

cogency

noun

ˈkō-jən(t)-sē

Definition of cogency

as in effectiveness

the capacity to persuade the cogency of Thomas Paine's celebrated case for American independence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in impact

the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect satirical comments of great cogency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cogency In one of its most demanding assignments of recent memory, the San Francisco Opera Chorus led by John Keene embodies one population after another — monkeys, undersea dwellers, gods and heavenly hangers-on — and does it with power and cogency. — Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Nov. 2025 TikTok’s algorithm started swamping me with humanities grad students of varying cogency. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025 Masterpiece remakes offer something very different, speaking to us with surprising urgency and cogency across time. — Jim Shepard, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025 The play echoes this ever-important sentiment but with far less cogency on an American stage. — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024 European leaders refused to comment on the record about their perceptions of Biden’s cogency. — Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 12 July 2024 The emphasis is on technical perfection, formal cogency, and unity of interpretive approach. — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024 Here, his body of writing, published as well as unpublished, historical as well as contemporaneous, stands out for its cogency, intricacy, and fluency. — Fredrik Logevall, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cogency

Noun

But research has been limited and is still in the early stages of understanding the full extent of their effectiveness, safety and long-term effects when used for addiction treatment.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 30 July 2026
His 55 per cent success rate was better than anyone in the top 75 for take-on attempts — a marker of his effectiveness from these situations.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of effectiveness

Noun

The timeline Charlotte City Council and CRTPO rescinded support for the project in May citing concerns of the design and the impact on communities near the Interstate.

— DJ Simmons August 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
Even more unnerving than the sheer volume is how little the impact is understood and accounted for.

— Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Definition of impact

Noun

As part of his plea, Kohberger waived the right to appeal, but that does not preclude him from filing a new case challenging the validity of his plea agreement.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
As Nora’s speech and Catherine’s kind moments suggest, characters’ actions don’t consistently reflect their overall moral stance, which is often based on misunderstandings and falsehoods, its validity unknowable even to them.

— Judy Berman, Time, 27 July 2026

Definition of validity

Noun

Most importantly, the bureau has been elevated in importance, and other ministries are now formally required to share their information.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
This month, a gay rights activist obtained the memo outlining the agreement from the Defense Department after filing a lawsuit, arguing that clarity was of public importance.

— Jamie Stengle, Fortune, 31 July 2026

Definition of importance

Noun

First is to prevent their further migration by enforcing an international treaty obliging national authorities to treat ballast waters inside incoming ships that may carry such species.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Prosecutors said immigration authorities will decide if Maximilien can keep his student pass in Singapore after considering all relevant factors.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Definition of authority

Noun

What gets funded should reflect the merits of the opportunity, not the persuasiveness of the person who built the deck.

— Amer Al Ahbabi, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Blarney Castle is, of course, home to the legendary Blarney Stone—a block of limestone built into the castle that’s said to gift eloquence and persuasiveness to whoever kisses it.

— Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026

Definition of persuasiveness

Browse Nearby Words

cog

cogency

cogent

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“Cogency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cogency. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of cogency

noun

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