Nugatory — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈnü-gə-ˌtȯr-ē/ nu·ga·to·ry

Meaning & Definition of Nugatory

Nugatory (adjective)

  1. of little or no consequence, trifling, inconsequential
  2. having no force, inoperative

Nugatory (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having no legal or binding force

    "the congressional resolution has symbolic value only, as it relates to a matter governed by the states and is thus nugatory"

    similar: bad, inoperative, invalid, nonbinding, nonvalid, null, null and void, void
    related: illegal, useless, worthless, ineffective, ineffectual
    opposite: binding, good, valid
    near: legal, working

  2. lacking importance

    "the book is entertaining, but its contributions to Shakespearean scholarship are nugatory"

    similar: fiddling, foolish, frivolous, incidental, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, little, Mickey Mouse, minor, minute, negligible, slight, small, small-fry, trifling, trivial, unimportant, neither here nor there
    related: jerkwater, one-horse, nickel-and-dime, paltry, petty, small-time, worthless, anonymous, nameless, obscure, uncelebrated, unknown
    opposite: big, consequential, eventful, important, major, material, meaningful, momentous, significant, substantial, unfrivolous, weighty
    near: decisive, fatal, fateful, chief, dominant, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, principal, distinctive, exceptional, impressive, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, valuable, worthwhile, worthy, distinguished, eminent, great, illustrious, preeminent, prestigious, famous, notorious, renowned, all-important, basic, essential, fundamental, key

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Nugatory

The most common words with a similar meaning to Nugatory:

bad, inoperative, invalid, nonbinding, nonvalid, null, null and void, void, fiddling, foolish, frivolous, incidental, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, little, Mickey Mouse, minor, minute, negligible, slight, small, small-fry, trifling, trivial, unimportant, neither here nor there

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Nugatory

Words with the opposite meaning of Nugatory:

binding, good, valid, big, consequential, eventful, important, major, material, meaningful, momentous, significant, substantial, unfrivolous, weighty

Related Words for Nugatory

illegal, useless, worthless, ineffective, ineffectual, jerkwater, one-horse, nickel-and-dime, paltry, petty, small-time, anonymous, nameless, obscure, uncelebrated, unknown

Near Antonyms of Nugatory

legal, working, decisive, fatal, fateful, chief, dominant, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, principal, distinctive, exceptional, impressive, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, valuable, worthwhile, worthy, distinguished, eminent, great, illustrious, preeminent, prestigious, famous, notorious, renowned, all-important

Origin & Etymology of Nugatory

Latin nugatorius, from nugari to trifle, from nugae trifles

First known use: 1603

Frequently Asked Questions about Nugatory

What does "Nugatory" mean?

"Nugatory" means of little or no consequence, trifling, inconsequential. As an adjective, it is defined as: of little or no consequence, trifling, inconsequential. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Nugatory"?

Other words for "Nugatory" include bad, inoperative, invalid, nonbinding, nonvalid, null, null and void and void. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Nugatory" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Nugatory"?

There are 43 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Nugatory". Common alternatives include bad, inoperative, invalid, nonbinding, nonvalid, null, null and void, void, fiddling and foolish.

What is the opposite of "Nugatory"?

Antonyms of "Nugatory" include binding, good, valid, big, consequential, eventful, important and major. Near antonyms include legal, working, decisive and fatal.

How do you use "Nugatory" in a sentence?

Examples of "Nugatory" in a sentence: "the congressional resolution has symbolic value only, as it relates to a matter governed by the states and is thus nugatory"; "the book is entertaining, but its contributions to Shakespearean scholarship are nugatory".

Is "Nugatory" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Nugatory" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Nugatory"?

"Nugatory" is pronounced /ˈnü-gə-ˌtȯr-ē/ and divided into syllables as nu·ga·to·ry.

What is the origin of the word "Nugatory"?

"Nugatory" comes from Latin nugatorius, from nugari to trifle, from nugae trifles. First known use: 1603.