Financial Crisis Terms

adjective causing fear or distress; frightening or disturbing

• The alarming increase in pollution levels is a cause for concern among environmentalists.
• It's really alarming how fast prices are rising these days.
• The number of accidents on that road is just plain alarming.
• The sudden drop in sales was an alarming wake-up call for the company.

verb to declare (a person or organization) as unable to pay outstanding debts

adjective having been declared in law unable to pay outstanding debts

• The company declared bankruptcy after years of financial struggle.
• I heard that they went bankrupt and had to close down the business.
• They were so broke, they ended up going bust.
• His reckless behavior left him morally bankrupt.

noun a person who is in a state of despair; someone who is in a desperate situation

adjective feeling or showing a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with

• The desperate situation called for immediate action from the authorities.
• She was getting desperate waiting for a response to her job application.
• I'm so desperate for a snack right now, I could eat anything.
• His desperate attempt to win her back only pushed her further away.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun

• The concept of a green swan event refers to a rare and unpredictable environmental catastrophe.
• I heard that scientists are worried about the possibility of a green swan event happening in the near future.
• Dude, did you see that documentary about green swan events? It's crazy stuff.
• Her sudden resignation was like a green swan, unexpected and impactful.

noun a Latin phrase meaning 'horrible year'; used to describe a particularly difficult or disastrous year

• The year 2020 was truly an annus horribilis for many people around the world.
• Last year was a total annus horribilis, wasn't it?
• Man, 2020 was one big annus horribilis.
• Just like a stormy sea, life can sometimes throw us into an annus horribilis.