First Known Use: 1603
Dictionary
nugatory
adjective nu·ga·to·ry \ˈnü-gə-ˌtȯr-ē, ˈnyü-\
Definition of NUGATORY
1
: of little or no consequence : trifling, inconsequential
2
: having no force : inoperative
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Origin of NUGATORY
Latin nugatorius, from nugari to trifle, from nugae trifles
Related to NUGATORY
- Synonyms
- bad, inoperative, invalid, nonbinding, nonvalid, null, null and void, void
Synonym Discussion of NUGATORY
vain, nugatory, otiose, idle, empty, hollow mean being without worth or significance. vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value <vain promises>. nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance <a monarch with nugatory powers>. otiose suggests that something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance or a superfluity <a film without a single otiose scene>. idle suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect <idle speculations>. empty and hollow suggest a deceiving lack of real substance or soundness or genuineness <an empty attempt at reconciliation> <a hollow victory>.
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
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