cogent, complacent, conciliatory, contingent, corporal: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from GRE Vocabulary set 158. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. cogent · adjective/ˈkoʊ.dʒənt/

   clear, logical, and convincing

   The lawyer presented a cogent argument that ultimately convinced the jury of his client’s innocence.

   Synonyms: persuasive, compelling, convincing

   Origin: from Latin 'cogens', the present participle of 'cogere', meaning 'to drive together, to compel'

2. complacent · adjective/kəmˈpleɪ.sənt/

   self-satisfied and unaware of potential dangers or defects

   After years of success, the company's management became complacent about their market position, ignoring the emerging competition.

   Synonyms: self-satisfied, smug, unconcerned

   Origin: from Latin 'complacent-', present participle of 'complacere', meaning 'to please greatly'.

3. conciliatory · adjective/kənˈsɪl.i.əˌtɔːr.i/

   intended to placate or pacify

   The manager adopted a conciliatory tone during the meeting to ease the tensions among the team members.

   Synonyms: pacifying, appeasing, mollifying

   Origin: from Latin 'conciliatorius', from 'conciliari' meaning 'to unite, bring together'

4. contingent · adjective/kənˈtɪn.dʒənt/

   dependent on something else that might happen

   The approval of the new policy is contingent on the results of the upcoming vote.

   Synonyms: dependent, conditional, subject

   Origin: from Latin 'contingens', meaning 'touching, happening, or depending upon'

5. corporal · adjective/ˈkɔr.pɚ.əl/

   relating to the body

   The athlete faced serious corporal punishment for violating the league's drug policy.

   Synonyms: bodily, physical, somatic

   Origin: from Latin 'corporalis', from 'corpus' meaning 'body'