Question

Select the word which means the opposite of the given word:
Cogent
a. Convincing
b. Ineffective
c. Relevant
d. Having power to compel

Answer 1

Hint: The word cogent is an adjective, that is, it is a describing word. If we describe something as cogent, we mean it has the power to convince us. A person can persuade me to do an act with a cogent argument.

Complete answer:
We have been asked to find out the meaning which is opposite to the word ‘cogent’. So that means the word has to mean that it is not effective enough to compel me to do something. It does not have a persuasive value. It cannot convince me to do something. It is illogical.

> From the given options, we can see that option b is an appropriate meaning which is opposite to the meaning of cogent. If something is ineffective, it means it did not have the power to convince us to do something. Ineffective is the opposite of being effective. A cogent argument is effective and if it is not cogent, it is ineffective. Thus, option b is the correct answer.
 If we look at the other options in a, c and d, we can see that they are all not the opposite meaning of cogent.

> Option a, ‘convincing’ is the word which is similar to the meaning of cogent.

> Option c, that is, relevant, means something which is in relation to something else. For example, a relevant matter came up during the meeting. This means that the matter which came up was in relation to the matter being discussed in the meeting.

> Option d says ‘the power to compel’. That is the same as cogent and convincing. So they are similar words.

Note: It is very helpful and easy to spot words which are similar or opposite to each other if the meaning of the given word is known. It is advised to students to stock up on their vocabulary skills. Reading lots of books help to have a good vocabulary.