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
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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious circle
Noun
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The state-level party did not contribute to any other city candidate this cycle.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Nov. 2025
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Once these target areas are addressed, don’t forget to give the rest of the machine some love by running it on a wash cycle with your favorite dishwasher cleaning solution to eliminate any remaining buildup that could lead to a messy, smelly machine.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
With that in mind, consider stacking charms, unique metals, different chain weights, mixing stones, and even materials when layering pieces in your collection (or shopping for new styles).—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
31 Oct. 2025
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Videos of diners who were surprised to see the singer at one of the restaurant chain’s locations have also gone viral.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The keynote speech was by William Makis, a litigious COVID conspiracist who, after losing his medical license in 2019, has made a living treating cancer patients with antiparasitic drugs including ivermectin, which was also championed in some circles as a COVID treatment during the pandemic.—
Arthur Allen,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
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With her hair parted down the middle, Gerber donned tight waves; the circles falling inward over her shoulders.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Urwerk revealed a watch that measures the distances our planet travels across the time-space continuum.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
31 Oct. 2025
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According to Sanford, this finding suggests that rational thought exists along a continuum rather than being uniquely human.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vicious circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circle. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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