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

Biden looked older, sure, but in the East Room of the White House, at the reception for the honorees, the President was playful and seemed cogent enough. —Jake Tapper, New Yorker, 13 May 2025

For France as a whole, all of this disarray and lack of cogent planning reflects the remarkable squandering of a once-commanding energy advantage. —Daniel Markind, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

Many memoirists, for cogent reasons, stick to a steady chronological tread, from childhood to a retrospective calm, yet is that not a reassuring lie? —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 May 2025

The raw footage shows she was quoted accurately, although CBS had edited her response by using her most cogent sentence. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025

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