vicious circles

noun

variants also vicious cycles
plural of vicious circle
as in cycles
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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious circles
  1. cycles
  2. chains
  3. circles
Noun
  • Is there a comedy cycle, the same way there are cycles in fashion?
    — Dan Brooks, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
  • California’s revenue is notoriously top heavy, leaving state coffers vulnerable to boom-and-bust cycles as the wealthiest residents see their incomes rise and fall with the stock market.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of cycles
Noun
  • Contract pharmacies grew from roughly 1,300 in 2010 to more than 31,000 by mid-2026, dominated by the largest chains.
    — Casey B. Mulligan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Her income comes from contracts with national brands, including beverage companies, grocery and restaurant chains and sports companies.
    — Anna Alejo, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of chains
Noun
  • The American Medical Association recommends chin tucks, gentle neck rotations and half-neck circles during the day.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Photos of him at campus barbecues or strolling the neighborhood proliferate student social media circles.
    — Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of circles
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.

Browse Nearby Words

vicious circle
vicious circles
viciously
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Cite this Entry

“Vicious circles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circles. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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