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
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Here, his body of writing, published as well as unpublished, historical as well as contemporaneous, stands out for its cogency, intricacy, and fluency.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
Yet, by using Martin’s words to ferry one scene to the next, & Juliet also ends up emphasizing the cogency of his work.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2022
But in her first directorial feature in 15 years, cinematographer Johnes doesn’t organize this material with ideal cogency.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 9 Nov. 2022
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Here, his body of writing, published as well as unpublished, historical as well as contemporaneous, stands out for its cogency, intricacy, and fluency.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
Yet, by using Martin’s words to ferry one scene to the next, & Juliet also ends up emphasizing the cogency of his work.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2022
But in her first directorial feature in 15 years, cinematographer Johnes doesn’t organize this material with ideal cogency.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 9 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cogency
Noun
-
There’s no denying the cost-effectiveness of investing in a high-quality luggage set, so this seasonal sale is the time to score the Coolife Luggage 4-piece Set while bags are only $34 apiece.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Oct. 2025
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Young children have to use spacers, holding chambers that allow the patient to breathe in the medication slowly so more of it reaches the lungs, and a spacer would hinder a dry-powder inhaler’s effectiveness.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The show was marred only by an audio mix that dimmed Coleman’s evocative voice amid a wash of instruments — at least from this reviewer’s spot in the Fox — but the Red Clay Strays’ impact shone through nevertheless.—
Brian McCollum,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
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Tennessean photo journalist Andrew Nelles was recognized with a first place award in environmental photography by the 2025 Green Eyeshade awards for a collection of photos documenting the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which ravaged parts of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.—
Nashville Tennessean,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Ellison clearly understands the power and significance of elevating certain stories over others.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Join us as Regina demystifies the journey to holistic health, emphasizing the significance of faith and the fostering of genuine connections.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This assertion that Mary was a child of a well-to-do family might have some historical validity since this text was composed at a time when the poverty and celibacy of the Holy Family had become associated with her nunlike virtue.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Intelligence officials have raised doubts regarding the validity of that document.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Opinion journalism, at its best, helps people think more deeply about issues of local importance.—
Indianapolis Star,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Throughout the song’s undulating, fluid melodies, Kali and Mariah trade verses about the importance of loyalty in love, all while maintaining their own otherworldly vocals in the process.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The federal government argued that the lower courts were circumventing the power of the justices and improperly limiting the authority of the Department of Homeland Security.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
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Unions of federal workers including the American Federation of Government Employees; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; and the AFL-CIO have filed a lawsuit arguing Trump doesn't have the authority to lay off workers and dismantle agencies during a shutdown.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The film’s considerable power depends entirely on its moment-to-moment persuasiveness, on a set of narrative and aesthetic choices that, as presented—in a series of swift, kinetically composed, and jaggedly edited scenes—seldom feel like choices at all.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Linebacker Zaire Franklin could not care less about the Colts’ strength of schedule.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Another important strength of the category may look at first like a contradiction.—
Rebecca Ackermann,
The Atlantic,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cogency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cogency. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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