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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The youth organization received funding from the Homewards Fund to expand its services for local young people, helping to break the cycles of exclusion and unemployment.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025 -
For so long, our dreams—and the time spent reaching them—have caught us in cycles of false promise.—
Alice Lassman,
Time,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Now, Russia’s and Ukraine’s Soviet-era tanks rumble across the battlefield covered in anti-drone nets and spikes, dangling chains and unwieldy cages.—
Marco Hernandez,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Tyla also wore coordinating chains around her waist, which dropped with gold medallion charms in numerous tiers.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The 17-year-old is now a figurehead in young adult literary circles through their book club, Read with Raegan, and partnerships with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Maduro is isolated, both within his circles and internationally.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Vicious circles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circles. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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