VICIOUS CYCLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does vicious cycle mean? 

• VICIOUS CYCLE (noun)
  The noun VICIOUS CYCLE has 1 sense:

1. one trouble leads to another that aggravates the first

  Familiarity information: VICIOUS CYCLE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• VICIOUS CYCLE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

One trouble leads to another that aggravates the first

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

vicious circle; vicious cycle

Hypernyms ("vicious cycle" is a kind of...):

positive feedback; regeneration (feedback in phase with (augmenting) the input)

 Context examples 

The research reveals how the hyperactive sugar consumption of cancerous cells leads to a vicious cycle of continued stimulation of cancer development and growth.

(Scientists Reveal The Relationship Between Sugar, Cancer, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)