Vicious circle vs. Vicious cycle

Vicious circle

/ˈvɪʃəs ˈsɜːrkəl/

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:

loopcyclespiral

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:

vicious circle

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.