nugatory

nu·ga·to·ry

adj \ˈnü-gə-ˌtȯr-ē, ˈnyü-\

Definition of NUGATORY

1

: of little or no consequence : trifling, inconsequential

2

: having no force : inoperative

Examples of NUGATORY

1. <the congressional resolution has symbolic value only, as it relates to a matter governed by the states and is thus nugatory>
2. <the book is entertaining, but its contributions to Shakespearean scholarship are nugatory>

Origin of NUGATORY

Latin nugatorius, from nugari to trifle, from nugae trifles

First Known Use: 1603

Related to NUGATORY

Synonyms: bad, inoperative, invalid, nonbinding, nonvalid, null, null and void, void

Antonyms: binding, good, valid

Related Words: illegal; useless, worthless; ineffective, ineffectual

Near Antonyms: legal; working

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

See Synonym Discussion at vain

Rhymes with NUGATORY

a priori, allegory, amatory, auditory, bedtime story, cacciatore, castratory, category, con amore, cover story, crematory, damnatory, decretory, dilatory, dormitory, excretory, expletory, feudatory, fumitory, Göteborg, gustatory, gyratory, horror story, hortatory, hunky-dory, inventory, laudatory, lavatory, mandatory, migratory, minatory, monitory, Montessori, morning glory, offertory, oratory, overstory, piscatory, precatory, predatory, prefatory, probatory, promissory, promontory, purgatory, repertory, Ruwenzori, signatory, statutory, sudatory, territory, transitory, understory, vibratory, vomitory, yakitori