annus horribilis
noun
an·nus hor·ri·bi·lis
ˈa-nəs-hȯr-ˈi-bə-ləs 
ˈä-
plural anni horribiles
ˈa-ˌnī-hȯr-ˈi-bə-ˌlēz
ˈä-
: a disastrous or unfortunate year
Examples of annus horribilis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In January 2013 — the family’s annus horribilis — Vittorio Missoni died in a plane crash off the Venezuelan coast.
—
Luisa Zargani, WWD, 2 Jan. 2025
The year 2024 has proved something of an annus horribilis for the Windsors, with both King Charles III and the Princess of Wales battling serious health problems—but the general mood among the royal family appears to be one of optimism when looking ahead to 2025.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
But what about Hollywood’s worst year — its annus horribilis maximus?
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2023
Photo: Jeff Chiu/Associated Press Bud Light’s partnership deal with UFC last month was a rare win for the beer brand this year, an annus horribilis dominated by a damaging consumer boycott over its collaboration with a transgender influencer.
—Katie Deighton, WSJ, 9 Nov. 2023
See all Example Sentences for annus horribilis 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Luisa Zargani, WWD, 2 Jan. 2025
The year 2024 has proved something of an annus horribilis for the Windsors, with both King Charles III and the Princess of Wales battling serious health problems—but the general mood among the royal family appears to be one of optimism when looking ahead to 2025.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
But what about Hollywood’s worst year — its annus horribilis maximus?
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2023
Photo: Jeff Chiu/Associated Press Bud Light’s partnership deal with UFC last month was a rare win for the beer brand this year, an annus horribilis dominated by a damaging consumer boycott over its collaboration with a transgender influencer.
—Katie Deighton, WSJ, 9 Nov. 2023
See all Example Sentences for annus horribilis
Articles Related to annus horribilis
Fan Favorites: Your Most Liked Words of...
This is a list of the top ten Words of the Day that made you learn, laugh, and look up words a little more in 2023
Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week -...
Dictionary lookups from Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve, the Ghislaine Maxwell trial, and new COVID-19 guidance.
The Words of the Week - 12/25/20
Some of the words that defined the week ending December 25, 2020
Dictionary Entries Near annus horribilis
Cite this Entry
“Annus horribilis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annus%20horribilis. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share