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

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Washington Post

Every so often, his breathing gave way to the raw but nugatory cough that had plagued him since—and had perhaps been triggered by—the Reagan Administration.

From The New Yorker