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
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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious circle
Noun
-
The company announced that a test cell manufactured using its Kavian dry-printing process retained 83% of its charge after 4,000 cycles.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Investing in Polywood furniture can be your key to breaking the cycle.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The chain started with a single location in Rogers in 2017 and offers more than 20,000 drink combinations.—
John Magsam,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The content creator dressed in a stunning array of jewels, a chain-style seashell dress from Paco Rabanne retailing for nearly $4,000, and a metallic purse.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Trump and his circle disdain the Bush-Ryan-Romney Republican Establishment and Clinton-Schumer-Jeffries Democratic Establishment in equal measure.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Cover with plastic and roll into 10-inch to 11-inch circles.—
Kathryn Gregory,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Urwerk revealed a watch that measures the distances our planet travels across the time-space continuum.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
31 Oct. 2025
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According to Sanford, this finding suggests that rational thought exists along a continuum rather than being uniquely human.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vicious circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circle. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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