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
But Carter, who still suffers nightmares and panic attacks, found himself in a vicious circle of mental breakdowns followed by escalating sanctions, each leaving Carter further from receiving effective treatment and further from getting paroled, Margolis said.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 6 May 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
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
But Carter, who still suffers nightmares and panic attacks, found himself in a vicious circle of mental breakdowns followed by escalating sanctions, each leaving Carter further from receiving effective treatment and further from getting paroled, Margolis said.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 6 May 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
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious circle
Noun
-
The 15-day Spring Festival kicks off on February 17 and will usher in the Year of the Horse, part of the 12-year cycle represented by 12 animals.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
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After a group of male models visited the competitors' apartment upon cycle 2 production relocating to Milan, Italy, for the season's back half, alcohol flowed — and, per Sullivan, so did tensions.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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With new openings in Italy, Poland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, Robert De Niro and his business partners are expanding Nobu’s hotel chain across Europe fast.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Olympic medals weren’t designed to be worn around the neck until 1960, when a laurel-leaf chain was introduced in Rome, and subsequently ribbons became standard.—
Eric Sullivan,
Scientific American,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Or how about some actual depth in the rotation rather than a prayer circle for health and prospect progression?—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Dick Page left models’ skin at Michael Kors so un-glammed that visible undereye circles appeared truly angelic.—
Arden Fanning Andrews,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This energy often comes from the ionizing continuum, a powerful, high-energy flashlight from the black hole that strips electrons from atoms.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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One pressing issue is the need to protect and expand reproductive autonomy while also addressing the full continuum of Black women’s health.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vicious circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circle. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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