A cogent argument is one that really drives its point home because it is clear, coherent, and readily understandable, and perhaps also because of the etymological history of cogent. Cogent comes from the Latin verb cogere, meaning “to drive or force together.” Something described as cogent fuses thoughts and ideas into a meaningful whole that others can readily grasp and accept. A cogent explanation is a convincing one, and cogent analysis has us nodding along because it is clear and pertinent. Cogere was formed in Latin by combining the prefix co- with the verb agere, “to drive, lead, or act,” a root which is also the source of our familiar noun agent. Handily enough, one definition of agent is “a means or instrument by which a guiding intelligence achieves a result.” It follows logically then that cogency is often a worthwhile agent, indeed.
valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.
a valid reason for being absent
a valid marriage
sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.
a sound proposal for reviving the economy
cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.
the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury
convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.
a convincing argument for welfare reform
telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.
a telling example of bureaucratic waste
Examples of cogent in a Sentence
… Honeyboy Edwards provides a cogent analysis of the shift within the blues over the years …—David Hajdu, Mother Jones, September/October 2003Your article provides cogent reading.—Mario Cuomo, letterU.S. News & World Report, 23 Mar. 1992Your arguments, whether or not one agrees with them, are generally cogent, and at times elegantly expressed.—Willard R. Espy, letterWall Street Journal, 24 Apr. 1990The author … makes a cogent and finely nuanced case for the wisdom—indeed, the necessity of this vision.—Marian Sandmaier, New York Times Book Review, 8 Feb. 1987
the results of the DNA fingerprinting were the most cogent evidence for acquittal
Recent Examples on the WebThe warning was especially cogent given the heat wave enveloping much of the U.S. this week.—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 18 June 2024 The result is a cogent and compelling brief for the system of government devised by the Framers.—Katherine Howell, National Review, 13 June 2024 Too much chasing after money and success, too much pandering to the popular taste, too much weight on ideology or politics or dogma of any stripe, and God, in the cogent phrase of Quincy Jones, walks out of the room.—John Ganz, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024 This book presents the most cogent and compelling account yet of this conflict from the Palestinian vantage point.—Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2020 See all Example Sentences for cogent
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cogent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin cōgent-, cōgens, present participle of cōgere "to drive together, gather, compress, force, compel," from co-, variant before a vowel and h of com-com- + agere "to drive (cattle), be in motion, do" — more at agent
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