nugatory

[noo-guh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, nyoo-]

adjective

1. of no real value; trifling; worthless.

   Synonyms: frivolous, insignificant, trivial

2. of no force or effect; ineffective; futile; vain.

   Synonyms: inoperative, useless

3. not valid.

nugatory

/ ˈnjuːɡətərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. of little value; trifling

2. not valid

   a nugatory law

Word History and Origins

Origin of nugatory¹

1595–1605; < Latin nūgātōrius worthless, useless, trifling, equivalent to nūgā(rī ) to trifle + -tōrius -tory ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nugatory¹

C17: from Latin nūgātōrius, from nūgārī to jest, from nūgae trifles

Example Sentences

Similarly nugatory paperwork errors are at the heart of two other elements of the case.

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But logically and empirically, the differences between the claims are nugatory.

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Or by the supposed injustice of rendering the billions they’ve already invested nugatory.

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Moreover, even for many workers still receiving paychecks, the tax cut would be trivial to the point of being nugatory.

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The committee filed suit for enforcement, lest Congress’s oversight function be rendered anemic, even nugatory.

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