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.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious circles
Noun
-
Yet there is no question that over the past three election cycles, Latino voters – Latino men under 40, in particular – have shifted right.—
Gary M. Segura,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026 -
It's shaped by slow procurement cycles, tight constraints, and hard trade-offs between capability, cost, and reliability.—
Interesting Engineering,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As such, for developers and property owners, national chains and fast-casual operators often can represent the safer financial bet.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Distribution includes major chains such as Safeway, Whole Foods, Total Wine, and BevMo.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Famous in feminist circles for her Abortion Every Day Substack, which forensically chronicles how reproductive rights are being curtailed law-by-law, state-by-state, Valenti lays out the political and legal landscape of post-Roe America in this short, succinct book.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Greco has become known in local art circles for his hyper-realstic painting style.—
Lisa Gutierrez
March 20,
Kansas City Star,
20 Mar. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Vicious circles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious%20circles. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
