variants
also vicious cycles
as in cycles
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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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious circles
Noun
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Lululemon wants Nike’s global sportswear machinery, including faster product cycles, sharper merchandising, broader category expansion, and a stronger link between brand heat and international growth.—
Ruth Umoh,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026 -
Converting economic headroom into the factories and power lines required for industrialization will also rely on governments committing to the pursuit of long-term projects with timelines that extend far beyond election cycles.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In fact, Flytrex has partnered with several other fast-food chains, including Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Kebabs to Go and El Pollo Loco.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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To address this, Cotton Incorporated collaborated with leading global researchers to quantify plastic leakage across both cotton and synthetic value chains, spanning fast fashion and more traditional apparel categories.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Dillard was running circles around opposing DBs during offseason camps, and his skill set is quite obvious.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
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Across the awards, several titles drew on personal archives or close family circles to address wider political realities.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Vicious circles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circles. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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