1
as in null
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in minor
lacking importance
the book is entertaining, but its contributions to Shakespearean scholarship are nugatory
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Recent Examples of nugatory
Women directors abound in the S&S list: Two Akermans, two Agnès Vardas (none by her husband Jacques Demy, a superior artist), a nugatory Jane Campion soap opera, Vera Chitilová’s obscure Czech feminist screed, etc.
—
Armond White, National Review, 7 Dec. 2022
But the benefits to Russia longer term could be nugatory.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Week, 4 Mar. 2022
It could be used to rationalize stealing the pennies from a dead man’s eyes, true, even considering the nugatory value of the contemporary penny.
—Marilynne Robinson, The New York Review of Books, 27 May 2020
Yet all of these questions seem, increasingly, merely nostalgic, nugatory, in the face of the dissolution of the common solidarity of principles that had once made the liberation happen.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 6 June 2019
Armond White, National Review, 7 Dec. 2022
But the benefits to Russia longer term could be nugatory.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Week, 4 Mar. 2022
It could be used to rationalize stealing the pennies from a dead man’s eyes, true, even considering the nugatory value of the contemporary penny.
—Marilynne Robinson, The New York Review of Books, 27 May 2020
Yet all of these questions seem, increasingly, merely nostalgic, nugatory, in the face of the dissolution of the common solidarity of principles that had once made the liberation happen.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 6 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nugatory
Adjective
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The two had a minor pull-apart but Adam Pearce screamed it down.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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The compound 7-OH is a naturally occurring substance in the kratom plant (Mitragyna speciosa), according to the FDA, but only a minor component, less than 2%, of the alkaloid content in natural kratom leaves.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The other client of Miami’s Rawsi Williams in the Bar’s petition, however, filed a Bar grievance after the first settlement funds check sent to her was declared invalid by her bank.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
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But Bird said Minnesota courts could do more to weed out invalid cases brought against patients.—
Molly Castle Work,
Twin Cities,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This personal blender can whip up breakfast smoothies, sauces and dips, salsas, omelets, and more thanks to its small but mighty 250-watt power base and stainless steel cross blade.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
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Among its 14 plant oils are argan kernel and rice bran, which regulate sebum production and loosen dead skin cells, respectively—and, together, leave your pores looking significantly smaller and your skin significantly smoother.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Ballentine has experience at gunner, where the Patriots have a void opposite Brenden Schooler.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
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Only the Atlanta Falcons are set to spend less cash on players than their cap tally represents, according to Over the Cap’s math, while 26 teams have already agreed to deals that spread bonus money beyond the length of a player’s contract through what are called void years.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Olympic silver medalist ran textbook races all season with little to no critiques on form and competitive nature.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Most available positions are informal, poorly compensated and offer little stability or room for career growth.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The energy department said wind and solar capacity is 'worthless' without sunlight or wind.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
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Overnight, many of those owners saw their wealth erased — their principal assets rendered worthless.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Boise State basketball’s conference schedule was announced on Tuesday morning, and there’s a slight difference to this year’s Mountain West slate.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Sep. 2025
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While strong finances and health helped bolster the country's overall 70% score, that was offset by factors including income inequality, a slight increase in unemployment and a decline in happiness.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In Belly’s case, making the Paris decision—let alone the decision of which brother to be with—involves critical-thinking skills and a sense of self, neither of which is a trivial quality.—
Greta Rainbow,
The Atlantic,
10 Sep. 2025
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More nuanced public health messaging could follow, helping to avoid unnecessary fear over trivial exposures.—
Anna Broughel,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nugatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nugatory. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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