Something that is coherent holds or sticks together firmly, with resistance to separation (that is, it coheres). Coherent, ultimately from the Latin co- ("together") and haerēre ("to stick or cling"), entered English in the 16th century and almost from the beginning was used both of physical things ("coherent stone") and of things which hold together in a much less palpable way ("coherent thoughts"). Its antonym, incoherent, entered the language some decades later. Like coherent, incoherent can be applied to both the tangible and the intangible. But, whether we are speaking of sand or logic, all things incoherent have one thing in common: they do not hold together, literally or figuratively, in a unified or intelligible whole.
The fever made her incoherent. He was very upset and practically incoherent after the accident. The memo is completely incoherent.
Recent Examples on the WebThe driver was incoherent and signs of alcohol intoxication were observed. Cheryl Higley, cleveland, 30 July 2022 According to the report, officials said Rivera-Rosado was incoherent and had no memory of anything leading up to the crash. Abigail Hasebroock, Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2022 What may not be so well understood, however, is how incoherent the opposition arguments are. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2022 To the homeless men lined up outside Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen in Manhattan, Martial Simon was a familiar figure: often incoherent, usually angry about something.New York Times, 5 Feb. 2022 The email message was a bizarre, technically incoherent warning that made reference to cybersecurity writer Vinny Troia as well as a cybercriminal group called The Dark Overlord. Kevin Collier, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2021 Fittingly, despite its range, Melt never feels incoherent. Khari Nixon, SPIN, 30 June 2022 United’s transfer strategy since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson has been incoherent. Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 28 June 2022 Sobol, who investigators say was hired as the girl's night nurse, was discovered lying next to the child, incoherent and mumbling, WBND-TV reports. Tristan Balagtas, PEOPLE.com, 23 June 2022 See More