Vicious Circle

Pronunciation: /ˈvɪʃəs ˈsɜrkəl/

Definitions of vicious circle

noun a circle or cycle of events or situations where each one leads to or influences the next in a way that reinforces the original situation

Example Sentences

A1 She was caught in a vicious circle of debt, always borrowing money to pay off previous loans.

A2 The lack of job opportunities created a vicious circle of poverty in the community.

B1 The company's poor financial management led to a vicious circle of declining profits and layoffs.

B2 The government's failure to address the root causes of crime perpetuates a vicious circle of violence in the city.

C1 The vicious circle of corruption and political power has plagued the country for decades.

C2 Breaking free from the vicious circle of addiction requires strong determination and support.

Examples of vicious circle in a Sentence

formal The country's economic downturn has created a vicious circle of unemployment and poverty.

informal Skipping breakfast can start a vicious circle of low energy and cravings throughout the day.

slang Getting caught up in social media drama can lead to a vicious circle of negativity and stress.

figurative Procrastination often leads to a vicious circle of missed deadlines and increased stress.

Grammatical Forms of vicious circle

• plural: vicious circles
• comparative: more vicious circle
• superlative: most vicious circle
• present tense: vicious circle
• future tense: will be a vicious circle
• perfect tense: has been a vicious circle
• continuous tense: is being a vicious circle
• singular: vicious circle
• positive degree: vicious circle
• infinitive: to be a vicious circle
• gerund: being a vicious circle
• participle: vicious circle

Origin and Evolution of vicious circle

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The term 'vicious circle' originated from the Latin phrase 'circulus vitiosus', which translates to 'faulty circle' or 'flawed circle'. It was used to describe a situation where a cause leads to an effect that in turn reinforces the original cause, creating a self-perpetuating cycle.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'vicious circle' has come to be commonly used in English to describe any situation where a problem or difficulty leads to further problems, which then exacerbate the original issue. The concept has been applied in various fields such as economics, psychology, and sociology to explain complex feedback loops and cycles of negative outcomes.