coherently

American  

[koh-heer-uhnt-lee, -her-] / koʊˈhɪər ənt li, -ˈhɛr- /

adverb

1. in a clear and logically connected, consistent, intelligible way; in a way that makes sense.

   None of the parties present was able to explain coherently what had happened.

   Your paper must have a soundly reasoned, coherently written conclusion.

2. with a natural, harmonious, well-balanced agreement of parts.

   We’ve turned these goals into concrete initiatives that work coherently across humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts.

3. Physics, Optics. with electromagnetic waves in a fixed phase relationship maintained over time.

   A coherently illuminated system is especially useful for performing spectral analysis.

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Other Word Forms

• noncoherently adverb

Etymology

Origin of coherently

First recorded in 1615–25; coherent ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

OpenAI added that a single product surface would allow it to move more quickly and coherently.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

“The ideas and insights he outlined still dominate the field,” observes Mr. Cobb, “even though most neuroscientists have no idea that Crick was the first to coherently articulate them.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026

“If programs are dispersed, they’re going to be administered less coherently, and the effect on districts and states will be that they have to report to multiple departments for multiple different programs,” she added.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2025

I doubt that he could string together a sensible paragraph on the benefits of tobacco harm reduction, much less capitalize it coherently.

From Slate • Sep. 24, 2024

Finally, I awoke feeling able to talk to him coherently and understand what he said.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler