Synonyms of cogent

cogent

adjective

ˈkō-jənt 

as in compelling

having the power to persuade

the results of the DNA fingerprinting were the most cogent evidence for acquittal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compelling
• convincing
• conclusive
• strong
• persuasive
• valid
• effective
• decisive
• satisfying
• forceful
• definitive
• authoritative
• telling
• important
• relevant
• sound
• significant
• pertinent
• well-founded
• weighty
• material

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unconvincing
• ineffective
• inconclusive
• unpersuasive
• unsound
• indecisive
• shaky
• unfounded
• invalid
• groundless
• uncompelling
• insignificant
• unimportant
• irrelevant
• inconsequential
• immaterial
• feeble
• weak

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cogent different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of cogent are convincing, sound, telling, and valid. While all these words mean "having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance," cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.

the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

When can convincing be used instead of cogent?

The synonyms convincing and cogent are sometimes interchangeable, but convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.

a convincing argument for welfare reform

When is sound a more appropriate choice than cogent?

The meanings of sound and cogent largely overlap; however, sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.

a sound proposal for reviving the economy

When would telling be a good substitute for cogent?

While the synonyms telling and cogent are close in meaning, telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.

a telling example of bureaucratic waste

In what contexts can valid take the place of cogent?

The words valid and cogent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.

a valid reason for being absent

a valid marriage

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cogent

But the footage also revealed that Harris’ jumbled answer was clipped to its most cogent sentence. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025

If, like for me, Lewis Carroll’s 1865 fairy tale about a girl who stumbles into Wonderland is a core memory, all those beloved characters are there, with a splendidly cogent (and at times delightfully grotesque) libretto. —Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025

But your points are cogent, that the league knowingly is allowing teams with losing records to create playoff hope, but then also robbing those teams with losing records of an asset to improve. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 May 2025

But recently, two experts have made a cogent distinction. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!