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
Dreaming of owning For now, scores of Londoners are trapped in a vicious circle.
—
Anna Cooban, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
This is an important step towards justice and accountability for women and girls in Afghanistan - women and girls who have been effectively separated, segregated and removed from the public square, locked in the vicious circle of gender apartheid.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Coupled with a new Trump trade war, the resulting economic slowdown could create a vicious circle.
—Bilahari Kausikan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Deflation could lead to a vicious circle by driving down spending and investment, which in turn lead to weaker economic growth and higher unemployment.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Anna Cooban, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
This is an important step towards justice and accountability for women and girls in Afghanistan - women and girls who have been effectively separated, segregated and removed from the public square, locked in the vicious circle of gender apartheid.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Coupled with a new Trump trade war, the resulting economic slowdown could create a vicious circle.
—Bilahari Kausikan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Deflation could lead to a vicious circle by driving down spending and investment, which in turn lead to weaker economic growth and higher unemployment.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious circle
Noun
-
Understanding the buyer’s sales cycle helps with expectation management and timing. 10.—
Ryan Dohrn,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
The Democratic nominee's margin of victory could affect whether, or how energetically, other candidates try to challenge them in the 2026 election cycle.—
Laura Gersony,
AZCentral.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Coherent dialogues flow naturally, which can only be observed across a chain of exchanges.—
Tarush Agarwal,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Both top and bottom were held together by strings of gold chain, which hugged her waist and chest.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Inspired by her Moroccan roots, the couple took part in a henna ceremony, complete with costumes and a drum circle.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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There is a small circle of hairs (acidopore) present at the tip of the abdomen (as opposed to the typical stinger found in many ants), a characteristic of formicine ants (found within the Formicinae subfamily).—
Kim Luciani,
The Enquirer,
14 July 2025
Noun
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This sounds specific enough, but the film’s bleakness belongs on a continuum with any number of works from the past ten or 15 or 20 years.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
3 July 2025
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Those continuums often include some combination of local government, businesses, nonprofit service providers like shelters, and even religious organizations.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vicious circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circle. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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