A difficult situation where one problem causes another problem, which makes the first problem worse
Examples:
The economy is caught in a vicious circle of inflation and wage hikes.She found herself in a vicious circle of stress leading to poor health.In politics, the scandal led to a vicious circle of blame and denial.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
This word has no antonyms
Vicious cycle
/ˈvɪʃəs ˈsaɪ.kəl/
A situation where a problem causes itself to worsen or continue in an unwanted way
Examples:
A lack of sleep created a vicious cycle of fatigue.He found himself in a vicious cycle of debt.Breaking the vicious cycle was her top priority.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
This word has no antonyms
Ways to tell them apart:
Both terms describe a situation where a problem leads to further problems, creating a loop.
Circle suggests a shape that is more closed and immediate, giving a sense of inevitability and interconnection.
Cycle implies a more extended sequence of events that repeat over time.
While both can sometimes be used interchangeably, certain contexts traditionally lean towards one or the other.
Vicious circle is more common in a European context, whereas vicious cycle is more often used in American English.