variants
also vicious cycles
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
Noun
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Billing cycles vary, so each individual SDG&E customer will not see the credit on their statements at the same time in October.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025 -
If Huang is right, that relentless demand means AI won’t follow the boom-and-bust cycles of earlier technologies but will instead drive a compounding need, one that will also boost Nvidia.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The chains are off, and we readers are reaping the benefits.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
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Pribula’s efficiency was enough to keep the Tigers moving the chains down the field, but there wasn’t too much of a deep passing threat.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Storytelling happens throughout the weekend on a more intimate scale in age-specific support groups called healing circles.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
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Give any smudges or spills extra attention, rubbing in small circles until they are gone.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
24 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Vicious circles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circles. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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