Synonyms for nugatory

Most common

useless · trivial · insignificant · futile · frivolous · ineffectual · trifling · inoperative

All synonyms

Adjective

Definitions

1. adj. 1

   Trivial, trifling or of little importance.

Example sentences

• useless There's nothing in here but a lot of useless junk.
• trivial The conclusion may seem trivial: Esperanto exists.
• insignificant There is no such thing as an insignificant detail.
• futile When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
• frivolous Tom doesn't spend his money on frivolous things.
• ineffectual My efforts seemed ineffectual.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters

vain¹, idle²

6 letters

futile², otiose³

7 letters

useless², trivial³, puerile²

8 letters

trifling², abortive³, bootless

9 letters

worthless², frivolous³, fruitless²

10 letters

unavailing⁴

11 letters

meaningless³, ineffective⁴, ineffectual⁵, inoperative⁵

13 letters

insignificant⁵, inefficacious

15 letters

inconsequential⁵

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (idle² = 2 syllables).