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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vicious circle
Deflation could lead to a vicious circle by driving down spending and investment, which in turn lead to weaker economic growth and higher unemployment.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2024
This dynamic, whereby American conspiracy theorists and foreign intelligence operatives feed off one another in a vicious circle, is not new.
—Olga Belogolova, Foreign Affairs, 3 May 2024
Critics argue Musk has trapped Tesla in a vicious circle by training consumers to postpone their purchase in the hopes of getting a better deal in the future.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 12 Feb. 2024
Drought is a vicious circle for farmers: As rainfall decreases, the soil compresses.
—Jack Thompson, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2024
This dynamic, whereby American conspiracy theorists and foreign intelligence operatives feed off one another in a vicious circle, is not new.
—Olga Belogolova, Foreign Affairs, 3 May 2024
Critics argue Musk has trapped Tesla in a vicious circle by training consumers to postpone their purchase in the hopes of getting a better deal in the future.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 12 Feb. 2024
Drought is a vicious circle for farmers: As rainfall decreases, the soil compresses.
—Jack Thompson, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious circle
Noun
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The cycle begins with the return of the first salmon in spring, which Pacific Northwest tribal nations honor with the First Salmon feast.—
Cheryl Katz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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These lighter cycles make babies more prone to waking.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Grads react as billionaire gives them $1,000: Watch video Yelp unveils its top 25 burger chains in the US: See the list Spotify reveals predictions for 30 top songs of summer 2025: See list Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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Likewise, in the same sector, Kaufland and Lidl, two supermarket chains, are owned by the same family under the tutelage of the Schwarz Group, each specializing in specific market segments.—
Radu Magdin,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Only time—and maybe another sister circle—will tell.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
18 May 2025
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Yet there has been little sign of that pressure, despite fears in Israeli circles that Trump’s actions before and during his Middle East trip — which skipped Israel, saw Trump broker a deal with Yemen’s Houthis and lift sanctions on Syria without Israeli input — was a snub to Netanyahu.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2025
Noun
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Strengthen Sales Automation And Funnel Efficiency Automation technology, like software platforms and AI tools, is central to transforming organizational performance across the marketing-sales continuum.—
Ken Braun,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
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Things get even more heated when the characters burst into a series of sweltering original songs at the Juke, creating an orgiastic — even religious — fever strong enough to rip the space-time continuum apart at the seams.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vicious circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circle. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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