1
as in effectiveness
the capacity to persuade
the cogency of Thomas Paine's celebrated case for American independence
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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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Here, his body of writing, published as well as unpublished, historical as well as contemporaneous, stands out for its cogency, intricacy, and fluency.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
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
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As electronic warfare capabilities continue to proliferate, maintaining navigation and mission effectiveness without constant access to satellite signals has become increasingly important.
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There may be an issue with how the pills dissolve, which could impact their effectiveness.
Noun
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Many of the injuries displayed rectangular, band-like and patterned characteristics consistent with impact from a belt-like object, Detective Balders wrote.
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This has fueled debate over their impact on the game, with some viewers complaining about being exposed to commercials during the three-minute stoppages.
Noun
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But his dictionary, with its conclusiveness, was a huge publishing success.
Noun
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Archaeologists have determined the mounds served ceremonial, spiritual and burial functions, though many details of their cultural significance remain a mystery.
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Fay believes the significance of America's birth, with its ideals of freedom and equality, has the power to unite.
Noun
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Look back at a full timeline of the ransom notes, their contents and what investigators have said about their validity.
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Officials have said little about the authenticity of the letters, leaving questions about their validity unanswered.
Noun
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Kerigan Coates, who's studying neuroscience at the University of San Diego, received a scholarship and the inspiration to keep educating people about the importance of mental health.
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Just days after Bode's arrest, Morgan reshared two Instagram Stories from midwife Lindsey Meeheis, reminding parents about the importance of water safety to mark the 8th anniversary of Emeline's death.
Noun
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Last summer, France’s public health authority recorded 1,418 drowning incidents — a 14% rise on the previous year — with deaths among teenagers aged 13 to 17 more than doubling.
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The Altima struck the center median, according to authorities.
Noun
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That McDuffie is close—despite his low-key affect and late entry in the race—speaks more to apprehension about Lewis George than to the persuasiveness of his campaign.
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The persuasiveness of the AI persona is so strong that people can be misled.
Cite this Entry
“Cogency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cogency. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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