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
This vicious circle means that for electric-plane design, adding batteries to boost range isn't a viable strategy.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 May 2016
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
This vicious circle means that for electric-plane design, adding batteries to boost range isn't a viable strategy.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 May 2016
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious circle
Noun
-
Iran has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to exploit the rhythms of American politics — election cycles, media pressures, bureaucratic fragmentation — to delay, confuse, and outmaneuver counterparts.—
Gaurav Srivastava,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
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The big hit came courtesy of Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler, who capped off the rally by tagging Crochet for a three-run home run to dead center field and ultimately finished a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The remote chain of more than 60 islands off the tip of India, south of the Maldives, has been under British control since 1814.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Some tribes, including the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma and Oneida Indian Nation in New York, have their own store chains.—
Mead Gruver,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Always a fightin’ word and guaranteed to set off defensive alarm bells in left-leaning circles — until the last five years.—
Bob Ehrlich,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Apr. 2026
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Scrape away leaves, twigs, and grass within a 10-foot diameter circle from a fire.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Gore suggested this might put AI models on a continuum of consciousness starting with some animals.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
9 Apr. 2026
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That place is called Vi at Aventura — a vibrant independent living community that offers a continuum of on-site care, should the need arise.—
Vi at Aventura,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vicious circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circle. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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