Cohere

To cohere means to form a united, logical, and consistent whole. It describes the act of parts or elements sticking together or holding together, either physically or conceptually. This can apply to ideas, arguments, substances, or groups of people. It implies a sense of internal connection and meaningful relationship, where individual components contribute to a unified and understandable entity. The degree to which something coheres speaks to its clarity, strength, and stability. A cohesive entity is one that avoids fragmentation and maintains its integrity. This is often contrasted with a state of disarray, contradiction, or disintegration.

Cohere meaning with examples

• The scientist struggled to make the data cohere. Initially, the observations seemed scattered and contradictory. After months of rigorous analysis and experimentation, he found the key to making the information cohere, a unified pattern that supported the new theory. This allowed him to present a convincing argument, solidifying his groundbreaking research to his peers, resulting in a respected reputation among the scientific community.
• The band's music began to cohere after they adopted a shared vision of their artistic direction. Before this change, the song's ideas felt discordant and fragmented. Once they all agreed on a central theme and unified sound, the individual pieces began to cohere into something truly compelling. The resulting album was a critical success, praised for its strong thematic consistency and unified artistry, and propelled the band to fame.
• The architect's design for the new building was a masterpiece of coherent construction. Every part of the structure was planned to cohere, from the materials and design to the landscape and interior decoration. No details were left out and the construction followed a consistent pattern, resulting in a beautiful and practical space. The building was a testament to careful planning and design with every part of it built to cohere to the overall concept.
• During the debate, the politician attempted to make his arguments cohere. However, his statements were often confusing and illogical, with some of them even contradicting each other. The opposition seized on these contradictions, highlighting the lack of consistent thought. Therefore, it was evident that his claims did not cohere into a persuasive or even believable narrative, and thus damaged the reputation of his credibility.