adjective
incoherent
Incoherent (adjective) means not making sense; lacking logical connection or clarity. Example: “His explanation was incoherent after the accident.”
adjective
1
Not making sense; lacking logical connection or clarity.
"When we confronted her, she gave us a hasty, incoherent explanation."
"It was as if he was in fear of being swamped, rendered incoherent, by the sheer marvelousness of what he was relating."
— Barry Unsworth, Pascali’s Island (1980)
"After just a few drinks, he becomes incoherent."
"His explanation was incoherent after the accident."
"The essay felt incoherent, jumping between unrelated points."
How to use incoherent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishConfusing or garbled — doesn't hold together logically.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
incoherent rambling
incoherent argument
completely incoherent
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more incoherent
- Superlative
- most incoherent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His explanation was _____ after the accident.
Etymology
From in- ("not") + coherent, ultimately from Latin cohaerere, "to stick together."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for incoherent
See all rhymes for incoherent →Frequently asked questions
What does “incoherent” mean?
The word “incoherent” means not making sense; lacking logical connection or clarity. In plain terms, confusing or garbled — doesn't hold together logically.
How do you use “incoherent” in a sentence?
Here is “incoherent” used in a sentence: “His explanation was incoherent after the accident.”
What is another word for “incoherent”?
Words with a similar meaning to “incoherent” include uncoherent, unintelligible, unrelated, disjointed, desultory and jerky.
What is the opposite of “incoherent”?
The opposite of “incoherent” — its antonyms — is coherent.
What part of speech is “incoherent”?
“Incoherent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “incoherent” come from?
The word “incoherent” comes from Latin. From in- ("not") + coherent, ultimately from Latin cohaerere, "to stick together.".
