nugatory
[noo-guh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, nyoo-]
adjective
of no real value; trifling; worthless.
of no force or effect; ineffective; futile; vain.
not valid.
Origin of nugatory
1595–1605; < Latin nūgātōrius worthless, useless, trifling, equivalent to nūgā(rī) to trifle + -tōrius -tory1
Synonyms for nugatory
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for nugatory
inadequate, inconsequential, insignificant, piddling, trifling, useless, hollow, idle, ineffectual, invalid, trivial, unavailing, vain, worthlessExamples from the Web for nugatory
Historical Examples of nugatory
This order, however, was nugatory, as the court had no power to enforce its judgments.
The Mormon Prophet and His HaremC.V. Waite
Therefore all art which involves no reference to man is inferior or nugatory.
Modern Painters, Volume V (of 5)John Ruskin
These boasted bulwarks of Italy have proved as nugatory as the Alps.
They tell us plainly that resisting these illusions with truth renders them nugatory.
Carmen ArizaCharles Francis Stocking
His judgment may not be impartial, but at least it is not nugatory.
nugatory
adjective
Word Origin for nugatory
C17: from Latin nūgātōrius, from nūgārī to jest, from nūgae trifles
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper