cogent
7 synonyms and 3 antonyms for cogent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Clear, logical and convincing enough that a reasonable person would be persuaded.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use cogent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a cogent argument
cogent reasons
cogent evidence
cogent case
cogently argued
Formal, common in academic, legal and editorial writing; it describes arguments, reasons and evidence rather than people.
Etymology
From Latin cogent-, the present participle stem of cogere meaning to drive together or compel, from co- together and agere to drive.
Full origin of cogent →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between cogent and coherent?
Coherent means the parts hang together and can be followed. Cogent goes further and means the argument is also strong enough to convince. A case can be perfectly coherent and still not cogent if the evidence is thin.
What is the difference between cogent and valid?
In logic, valid means the conclusion follows from the premises regardless of whether those premises are true. Cogent is the everyday judgement that an argument is both well reasoned and grounded in believable facts.
Can a person be cogent?
It is usually the argument, reason or explanation that is cogent. Saying a person is cogent is understood but reads as loose; cogently argued is the safer construction.
