cogent

/ˈkō-jənt/

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"

adjective

  1. appealing forcibly to the mind or reason : convincing

  2. pertinent, relevant

  3. having power to compel or constrain

cogent evidence

a cogent analysis

valid sound cogent convincing telling mean having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance. valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority. sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.