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.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
To put that in perspective, a single IVF cycle of medications typically costs between $3,000 to $6,000 for self-pay patients.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
-
HostArmada sells these packages as monthly, semiannual, annual, and biannual cycles.—
Gabriel Zamora,
PC Magazine,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The chain has more than 100 locations in California, including several in the Los Angeles area.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
To complement the sweet heat flavors of the new sandwich, the beloved chicken chain is also introducing a full line of four Strawberry Hibiscus flavored beverages.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Greig collected a pass from Shane Pinto at the bottom of the faceoff circle, moved the puck to his forehand and fired a shot past Lankinen midway through the second.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Because of her Colombian heritage, Zegler faced aggressive pushback from conservative circles, who thought the title role of Snow White should be played by a white woman.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Martin has traditionally reserved his own name for projects outside the dub-dancehall continuum of the Bug, like the conceptual Sirens, a journal of childbirth as baptism by fire, and the abyssal Black, a tribute to Amy Winehouse.—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Vicious circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circle. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
