Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank with a word that is nearest in meaning to the bracketed term.
Answer:The lead investigator's [cogent] presentation of the forensic evidence convinced the magistrate to order a full trial; her reasoning was thoroughly 【convincing】.
Answer
The word nearest in meaning to 'cogent' in this context is 'convincing' (or 'compelling' / 'persuasive').
In the given context, 'cogent' describes a presentation or argument that is clear, logical, and highly persuasive. Therefore, words like 'convincing', 'compelling', or 'persuasive' accurately reflect its nearest meaning and complete the thought logically.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Identifying synonyms and contextual word meanings in formal English prose.