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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vicious circle
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
This dynamic, whereby American conspiracy theorists and foreign intelligence operatives feed off one another in a vicious circle, is not new.
—Olga Belogolova, Foreign Affairs, 3 May 2024
Critics argue Musk has trapped Tesla in a vicious circle by training consumers to postpone their purchase in the hopes of getting a better deal in the future.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 12 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for 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
This dynamic, whereby American conspiracy theorists and foreign intelligence operatives feed off one another in a vicious circle, is not new.
—Olga Belogolova, Foreign Affairs, 3 May 2024
Critics argue Musk has trapped Tesla in a vicious circle by training consumers to postpone their purchase in the hopes of getting a better deal in the future.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 12 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vicious circle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious circle
Noun
-
The city had sought an Environmental Protection Agency grant last year to pay for the removal cost, but missed the grant cycle at the time.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2025
-
There were these cycles of glaciation and then the retreat of glaciers and then more glaciation and the retreat of them.—
Ari Daniel,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Increasingly, rather than targeting technology, criminals are striking directly at the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain, which is usually us humans.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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By the end of that year, Klarna had deals with roughly half of the country’s 100 largest chains.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Sitting in a duck-duck-goose circle, on top of colorful blankets, were citizens tall and short, young and slightly older—all with one common denominator.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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Couches and chairs were arranged in a circle with a smattering of throw rugs at the center.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Noun
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The county also provides a full continuum of substance use treatment, including outpatient and residential programs, and medications for addiction treatment, according to the county.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
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Strengthen Sales Automation And Funnel Efficiency Automation technology, like software platforms and AI tools, is central to transforming organizational performance across the marketing-sales continuum.—
Ken Braun,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vicious circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circle. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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