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.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of vicious circle
Thanks to the vicious circle Beijing has created, the economy now routinely struggles to reach its annual growth target of five percent and is constantly battling deflation.
—
Dan Wang, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 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
Dreaming of owning For now, scores of Londoners are trapped in a vicious circle.
—Anna Cooban, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
This is an important step towards justice and accountability for women and girls in Afghanistan - women and girls who have been effectively separated, segregated and removed from the public square, locked in the vicious circle of gender apartheid.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Dan Wang, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 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
Dreaming of owning For now, scores of Londoners are trapped in a vicious circle.
—Anna Cooban, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
This is an important step towards justice and accountability for women and girls in Afghanistan - women and girls who have been effectively separated, segregated and removed from the public square, locked in the vicious circle of gender apartheid.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious circle
Noun
-
Since then, those tropes, popularized by Western films, have reappeared in cycles, Seaton said.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Some of Borseth’s priorities if elected will include ensuring school security and safety, addressing chronic absenteeism and ending off-cycle, odd-year school board elections.—
Talia McWright,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Around 2013, Hewson was part of an email chain of around twenty researchers working on the problem.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Oct. 2025
-
As for accessories, Stewart added a silver chain necklace to her ensemble with a small padlock motif.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Max spins Schadenfreude circles around Christian before towing him back to the boat with another Jet Ski.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Those with clout in various spheres coalesced into one clubby circle, and fell prey to a groupthink that foresaw riches for everyone, without consequences.—
Evan Hughes,
The Atlantic,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There's a continuum about it that's just absolutely beautiful.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Precisely for this reason, what is particularly important is the undertone of the brown lipstick, which can be pinkish or orange to create a continuum with the complexion, avoiding creating disharmonious contrasts.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vicious circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circle. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share