Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Of no real value, importance, or significance: Describes something that is trifling, worthless, or of no consequence.
   • Ineffective, invalid, or having no force in law: Describes something, such as a rule or argument, that is legally void or without binding power.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The committee dismissed his concerns as nugatory and not worthy of further discussion.
  • The court declared the old regulation nugatory after the new constitution was adopted.

Advanced Usage

• In a formal or legal context: Often used to describe arguments, claims, laws, or efforts that are utterly without merit or effect.
  • The lawyer argued that the procedural error rendered the entire motion nugatory.
• To emphasize triviality: Used to strongly dismiss something as pointless.
  • Without public support, their political campaign was rendered nugatory.

Variants and Related Words

• Nugatoriness (noun): The quality or state of being nugatory.
  • The nugatoriness of the clause made it easy to remove from the contract.

Synonyms

• Trivial
• Insignificant
• Worthless
• Invalid
• Null
• Void

Antonyms

• Significant
• Important
• Valid
• Effective
• Substantial

Related Phrases and Usage Notes

• "Render nugatory": A common collocation meaning to make something ineffective or void.
  • The new evidence could render the previous verdict nugatory.
• "Nugatory amount": Refers to a sum of money so small it is considered worthless or insignificant.
  • The fine was a nugatory amount and failed to deter the corporation.

Notes on Style

This word is primarily used in formal, academic, or legal writing. It is rarely used in everyday casual conversation.

Adjective

1. of no real value
   • a nugatory law