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
Thanks to the vicious circle Beijing has created, the economy now routinely struggles to reach its annual growth target of five percent and is constantly battling deflation.
—
Dan Wang, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 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
Dreaming of owning For now, scores of Londoners are trapped in a vicious circle.
—Anna Cooban, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
This is an important step towards justice and accountability for women and girls in Afghanistan - women and girls who have been effectively separated, segregated and removed from the public square, locked in the vicious circle of gender apartheid.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Dan Wang, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 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
Dreaming of owning For now, scores of Londoners are trapped in a vicious circle.
—Anna Cooban, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
This is an important step towards justice and accountability for women and girls in Afghanistan - women and girls who have been effectively separated, segregated and removed from the public square, locked in the vicious circle of gender apartheid.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious circle
Noun
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Everton appear locked in a cycle where their starting No 9 flatters to deceive, is left out for the next game, but then the replacement fares little better.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Ideally, it should be tossed before or after every drying cycle.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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By the end of the year, the grocery store and home goods chain will have opened eight new supercenters and neighborhood markets across the United States, Charles Crowson, a Walmart spokesperson, told USA TODAY this week.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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Amazon debuted its Fresh grocery chain in 2020, with an eye toward mass-market shoppers.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Forest’s Elliot Anderson reacted, chasing the ball and leaving space behind that Zubimendi then passed into to find Riccardo Calafiori in the centre circle.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Don’t forget to check out Prime Day deals on Amazon’s bestselling beauty products, like the $7 Tree Hut Vanilla Shea Sugar Scrub and these 38% off under-eye patches for dark circles, puffiness, and more.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Precisely for this reason, what is particularly important is the undertone of the brown lipstick, which can be pinkish or orange to create a continuum with the complexion, avoiding creating disharmonious contrasts.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
26 Sep. 2025
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The typical Sahib Singh character exists on a continuum from swagger to insecurity.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vicious circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circle. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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