What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nugatory
Example
The court declared the contract nugatory due to a lack of consideration. [nugatory: adjective]
Example
His efforts to fix the broken vase were nugatory as it shattered into pieces. [nugatory: adjective]
trivial
Example
The teacher dismissed the student's question as trivial and unimportant. [trivial: adjective]
Example
She spent her weekend doing trivial tasks like cleaning and organizing her closet. [trivial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Trivial is more commonly used than nugatory in everyday language. Trivial is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while nugatory is less common and has a more specific legal connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nugatory and trivial?
Both nugatory and trivial can be used in formal and informal contexts, but nugatory may be more commonly used in legal or academic settings due to its specific connotation.
