incoherent
adjective
in·co·her·ent ˌin-kō-ˈhir-ənt 
-ˈher-
: lacking coherence: such as
a
: lacking normal clarity or intelligibility in speech or thought
incoherent with grief
b
: lacking orderly continuity, arrangement, or relevance : inconsistent
an incoherent essay
c
: lacking cohesion : loose
incoherently adverb
Did you know?
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.
Synonyms
- choppy
- disconnected
- disjointed
- unconnected
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The fever made her incoherent. He was very upset and practically incoherent after the accident. The memo is completely incoherent.
Recent Examples on the Web The 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
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 Word History
First Known Use
1599, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
incoherent
adjective
in·co·her·ent ˌin-kō-ˈhir-ənt
: not connected in a clear or logical way
He was so upset, his speech was incoherent.
Medical Definition
incoherent
adjective
in·co·her·ent -ənt
: lacking clarity or intelligibility usually by reason of some emotional stress
incoherent speech
incoherent
adjective
1
as in confused
not clearly or logically connected the thriller's incoherent plot left movie audiences wondering who did what Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- confused
- confusing
- disjointed
- inconsistent
- bizarre
- frustrating
- absurd
- disconnected
- bewildering
- ridiculous
- irrational
- meaningless
- unconnected
- disorganized
- muddled
- silly
- choppy
- strange
- unusual
- illogical
- baffling
- eccentric
- perplexing
- puzzling
- unorganized
- disordered
- weird
- unreasonable
- nonsensical
- foolish
- disorderly
- confounding
- curious
- unconvincing
- peculiar
- odd
- disconcerting
- fallacious
- invalid
- inexplicable
- outlandish
- preposterous
- unsound
- asinine
- unaccountable
- unexplainable
- nutty
- senseless
- outré
- screwy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- coherent
- systematic
- connected
- orderly
- reasonable
- sound
- logical
- rational
- valid
- solid
- organized
- systematized
- sensible
- plausible
- ordered
- persuasive
- cogent
- compelling
- convincing
- clear
- satisfying
- unambiguous
- lucid
- transparent
- unequivocal
- unmistakable
- perspicuous
- clear-cut
2
as in loose
consisting of particles that do not stick together a driveway covered with incoherent gravel Synonyms & Similar Words
- loose
- disjointed
- unconsolidated
- rough
- coarse
- disconnected
- unconnected
- separate
- granular
- nonviscous
- nonadhesive
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- coherent
- dense
- compact
- solid
- packed
- connected
- compressed
- compacted
- viscous
- gelatinous
- sticky
- adhesive
- gummy
- glutinous
- gooey
- gluey
- viscid
- pine straw
- pine sugar
- pine swift
- pine tag
- pine tar
- pine tip moth
- pine tortoise scale
- pine tree
- pine tree shilling
- pine tulip
- pine warbler
- pine webworm
- pine weevil
- pine worm
- pine-barren sandwort
- pine-leaf scale
- pine-tar oil
- pine-tree lizard
- pine-tube moth
- pineal
- pineal body
- pineal eye
- pineal gland
- pineal organ
- pinealectomies