variants
also vicious cycle
as in cycle
a repeating situation or condition in which one problem causes another problem that makes the first problem worse
We're trapped in a vicious circle of needing to borrow money in order to pay debts.
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Recent Examples of vicious circle
Hamas may commit to some version of disarmament, but their militant ideology, desire for influence over Gaza’s future, and the presence of the IDF will give them a thousand reasons not to give up their arms, and their failure to do so, in turn, will give the IDF reason to stay—a vicious circle.
—
Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2025
This creates a vicious circle: SNAP facilitates purchases of products that fuel chronic disease, and Medicaid pays the price to treat it.
—Brian Castrucci, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
But Carter, who still suffers nightmares and panic attacks, found himself in a vicious circle of mental breakdowns followed by escalating sanctions, each leaving Carter further from receiving effective treatment and further from getting paroled, Margolis said.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 6 May 2025
Although the head coach has a squad deep in quantity and quality, periods with several players out injured can be a vicious circle for Hurzeler.
—Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2025
This creates a vicious circle: SNAP facilitates purchases of products that fuel chronic disease, and Medicaid pays the price to treat it.
—Brian Castrucci, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
But Carter, who still suffers nightmares and panic attacks, found himself in a vicious circle of mental breakdowns followed by escalating sanctions, each leaving Carter further from receiving effective treatment and further from getting paroled, Margolis said.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 6 May 2025
Although the head coach has a squad deep in quantity and quality, periods with several players out injured can be a vicious circle for Hurzeler.
—Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious circle
Noun
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The company also says the battery can charge in under 10 minutes and last 100,000 cycles.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
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In a video first shared with Semafor, Orlins calls out the network for refusing to condemn LaGrossa Kendrick’s comments and making LaGrossa Kendrick a part of the promotional cycle for the new season.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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With new openings in Italy, Poland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, Robert De Niro and his business partners are expanding Nobu’s hotel chain across Europe fast.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Olympic medals weren’t designed to be worn around the neck until 1960, when a laurel-leaf chain was introduced in Rome, and subsequently ribbons became standard.—
Eric Sullivan,
Scientific American,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Grab Breakfast At Modica Market Modica Market, the one and only grocery ever opened in the town circle, continues serving customers dawn to dusk, after more than 30 years in business.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
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Hundreds of gunmen controlled every route leading to Oseguera’s main compound in Jalisco state, making concentric circles of protection around his hideout.—
Steve Fisher,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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If an enduring trait of the bro-country continuum involves the self-sabotaging, toxic man who seeks pity for his inability to manage romantic relationships, then Megan Moroney is here to tell the other side of the story.—
Millan Verma,
Pitchfork,
24 Feb. 2026
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This energy often comes from the ionizing continuum, a powerful, high-energy flashlight from the black hole that strips electrons from atoms.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vicious circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circle. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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