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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In Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood on the Saturday before Halloween, officers arrested a man and triggered a chain of events that ended with them shoving a father in a yellow duck costume to the ground and breaking the ribs of a 67-year-old resident.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
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The driver of a northbound vehicle veered into the southbound lanes, hitting one car head-on and causing a chain-reaction crash, authorities said.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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First, there are the concentric circle features, which look like wispy shells of ejecta blown off of the star.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
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Several people in European power circles are facing inquiries or investigations, while others have stepped down from various professional roles.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, Altman trolls on X, and Musk seems to exist in a continuum of AI slop and conspiracy theories.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2026
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To go from a franchise that enjoyed a 30-year continuum of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers at QB to a franchise that has spent almost as long looking for a failing to find the next Marino or even an acceptable facsimile.—
Greg Cote
January 22,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vicious circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circle. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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