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Incoherently Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿคช
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incoherently

[ษชn.koสŠหˆhษชr.ษ™nt.li ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

communication

In a manner that is not clear or easily understood; unintelligibly.

Synonyms

confusedly, disjointedly, unintelligibly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
incoherently

Used when someone speaks or writes in a way that is difficult to understand because the words or ideas are not connected clearly.

  • After the accident, he spoke incoherently, and the paramedics had trouble understanding him
confusedly

Used when someone does something in a state of confusion or being unsure about what is happening.

  • She looked confusedly at the complex instructions, unsure of where to start
unintelligibly

Used when speech or writing cannot be understood at all because it is not clear or is mumbled.

  • The message was written so unintelligibly that no one could make sense of it
disjointedly

Used when ideas, parts of a story, or speech are presented in a disconnected or unorganized way that makes it difficult to follow.

  • The speaker presented his ideas disjointedly, making it hard for the audience to follow the main points

Examples of usage

  • He was speaking incoherently after drinking too much alcohol.
  • The patient was babbling incoherently due to the effects of the medication.
Context #2 | Adverb

behavior

In a manner that lacks logical or orderly connection; disjointedly.

Synonyms

disjointedly, haphazardly, illogically.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
incoherently

This word is best used when someone is speaking in a way that is hard to understand or lacks clear structure. It often indicates confusion or emotional stress.

  • After the accident, she spoke incoherently, making it hard for people to understand what happened.
  • The instructions were written so incoherently that nobody could follow them.
illogically

This word is appropriate when referring to actions, thoughts, or statements that do not follow logical reasoning or make sense.

  • His decision to quit his job without any backup plan seemed illogical to everyone.
  • She argued illogically, making points that didn't connect to the main topic.
disjointedly

Use this word when talking about something that is separated or disconnected, lacking smooth flow and often jumping from one part to another.

  • The story was told so disjointedly that it was difficult to follow the plot.
  • He presented his arguments disjointedly, making the whole speech hard to grasp.
haphazardly

This word is relevant in situations where something is done in a random, careless, or unorganized manner. It often suggests a lack of planning or order.

  • The books were arranged haphazardly across the room, making it look messy.
  • She packed her suitcase haphazardly, throwing in clothes without any order.

Examples of usage

  • His actions seemed to be incoherently motivated.
  • The plot of the movie unfolded incoherently, confusing the audience.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Speaking incoherently can be a symptom of cognitive overload, where the brain struggles to process information.
  • Individuals with certain mental health conditions, like schizophrenia, might express themselves incoherently.
  • Stress or fatigue can also lead someone to communicate incoherently, as their thoughts become scattered.

Literature

  • The use of incoherent dialogue in literature can depict a character's emotional state, showing their confusion or distress.
  • Notable authors like James Joyce often employed incoherent styles to challenge readers, reflecting the complexity of thought.
  • Incoherent narrative styles can be a literary technique to create a sense of realism in depicting human experience.

Communication

  • Incoherent speech can occur during fast-paced conversations where ideas are not fully formulated.
  • Public speaking anxiety often leads to incoherent delivery, as speakers may rush to express thoughts.
  • Effective communication training often addresses how to avoid incoherency by organizing thoughts before speaking.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters often become incoherent when they're intoxicated or under stress, creating comedic or dramatic moments.
  • Social media can amplify incoherent communication, as characters may post rapid, unedited thoughts.
  • The 'word salad' trend in certain contexts uses incoherent phrases humorously to imitate poorly thought-out comments.

Origin of 'incoherently'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Latin 'incohaerens,' meaning 'not sticking together,' which describes thoughts that don't connect well.
  • As it evolved into Old French before entering English, it maintained its meaning of confusion.
  • Incoherently has been used in English texts since the 17th century to describe unclear speech or writing.

The word 'incoherently' is derived from the combination of the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' and the word 'coherent' which comes from the Latin 'cohaerere' meaning 'to stick or cling together'. Thus, 'incoherently' describes something that does not stick together logically or clearly.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,807 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.