inglorious

adjective

in·​glo·​ri·​ous (ˌ)in-ˈglȯr-ē-əs 

1

: shameful, ignominious

an inglorious defeat

2

: not glorious : lacking fame or honor

made an inglorious comeback

ingloriously adverb

ingloriousness noun

Examples of inglorious in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Beyond his inglorious past, though, Hegseth and his Quantico speech should not be dismissed merely as meme fodder. —Arman Khan, Them., 3 Oct. 2025

Stories like the closest, about inglorious grunt work and uncommon sacrifice, are everywhere in the NFL; tales that calcify with each retelling until the truth of this coach or that executive’s rise becomes inseparable from myth. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025

What an inglorious end to a program that benefited so many young people during its formative and early years. —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 16 July 2025

The Rockies made more inglorious history by setting a franchise nine-inning record with 19 strikeouts. —Charles Odum, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin inglorius, from in- + gloria glory

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inglorious

• laborious
• notorious
• sartorius
• uproarious
• vainglorious
• victorious
• glorious
• meritorious

Kids Definition

inglorious

adjective

in·​glo·​ri·​ous (ˈ)in-ˈglōr-ē-əs 

-ˈglȯr-

1

: not glorious : not bringing honor or glory

2

: bringing disgrace : shameful

inglorious defeat

ingloriously adverb