The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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incoherent

adjective

/ˌɪnkə(ʊ)ˈhɪərənt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of incoherent

Lacking logical order, consistency, or clarity, making it difficult to understand or follow.
"The instructions were incoherent and caused confusion among the students."

Detailed meaning of incoherent

When applied to speech, writing, or communication, it implies a disorganized or disjointed manner of expression, where ideas, words, or sentences do not connect cohesively. Incoherent writing or speech can often be characterized by a lack of structure, making it challenging for the listener or reader to discern the intended meaning. In a broader context, "incoherent" can also describe anything that is marked by confusion, inconsistency, or a lack of a clear and rational framework, suggesting a state of disorder or disarray.

Example sentences containing incoherent

1. His speech was incoherent and difficult to follow.
2. The essay lacked coherence and was deemed incoherent by the professor.
3. She became incoherent after drinking too much alcohol.
4. The conversation between the two friends became incoherent as they started arguing.
5. The witness's testimony was incoherent and contradictory.
6. The politician's speech was incoherent and full of inconsistencies.

History and etymology of incoherent

The adjective 'incoherent' has its etymological roots in Latin and English. It is formed from the prefix 'in-,' meaning 'not,' and the Latin word 'cohaerens,' which is derived from 'cohaerere,' meaning 'to stick together' or 'to be connected.' Therefore, 'incoherent' essentially means 'not sticking together' or 'not connected.' This term was later incorporated into Middle English as 'incoherent,' and it came to describe something lacking logical order, consistency, or clarity. When we use the word 'incoherent' in modern English, we are highlighting the absence of a cohesive and understandable structure, making it challenging to follow or comprehend. It underscores a sense of disjointedness or lack of logical flow, emphasizing the difficulty in making sense of the subject at hand.

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Further usage examples of incoherent

1. The movie's plot was incoherent and difficult to understand.
2. The patient's speech was incoherent due to the effects of the medication.
3. The instructions were incoherent and caused the product to be assembled incorrectly.
4. The feedback from the client was incoherent and unclear.
5. His speech was incoherent, filled with jumbled words and nonsensical phrases.
6. The drunk man's ramblings were completely incoherent and impossible to understand.
7. The essay lacked a clear structure and was incoherent in its arguments.
8. The patient's delirium made their speech incoherent and disconnected.
9. The politician's press conference was incoherent, lacking a clear message or direction.
10. The witness's testimony was incoherent and contradictory, raising doubts about its reliability.
11. The toddler's babbling was adorable but largely incoherent to adults.
12. The professor's lecture was incoherent, jumping from one topic to another without logical transitions.
13. The malfunctioning microphone made the speaker's voice sound distorted and incoherent.
14. The novel's plot was incoherent, with several unresolved subplots and confusing character arcs.
15. The patient's mental illness caused their thoughts to become incoherent and fragmented.
16. The student's written assignment was incoherent, lacking proper grammar and structure.
17. The drunk driver's slurred speech was incoherent, making it difficult for the officer to understand.
18. The foreign language conversation sounded incoherent to those who didn't understand it.
19. The writer's hasty scribbles on the paper resulted in an incoherent mess of words.
20. The CEO's speech was incoherent, leaving the employees confused about the company's direction.
21. The professor's explanations were incoherent, leaving the students struggling to grasp the concepts.
22. The radio transmission was incoherent due to interference, making it difficult to understand the message.
23. The movie's editing was incoherent, with scenes that didn't flow logically or make sense together.
24. The politician's response to the question was incoherent, evading a clear answer and confusing the audience.