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
-
The company announced that a test cell manufactured using its Kavian dry-printing process retained 83% of its charge after 4,000 cycles.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Investing in Polywood furniture can be your key to breaking the cycle.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The burger chain originally opened in 1982 near the corner of C Street and Elvas Avenue in East Sacramento, according to previous Bee reporting.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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Maybe the implications of binding yourself in chains?—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Ovechkin then rifled home a wrister from the left circle to end a four-game goal drought.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
That belief makes the experience feel like a powerful full-circle moment.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The center provides a full continuum of care, including detox, residential treatment, outpatient programs, and aftercare services.—
Ethan Stone,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
But a continuum seems to exist.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vicious circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circle. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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