A bad situation or behavior that is the cause of another situation (or causal chain) which in turn causes the first, bad situation again.
A positive feedback loop in which the result is bad.
A positive feedback loop in which the result is bad.
A vicious cycle in "The Little Prince":
'I am drinking,' answered the drunkard lugubriously.
'Why are you drinking?' the little prince asked.
'In order to forget,' replied the drunkard.
'To forget what?' enquired the little prince, who was already feeling sorry for him.
'To forget that I am ashamed,' the drunkard confessed, hanging his head.
'Ashamed of what?' asked the little prince who wanted to help him.
'Ashamed of drinking!' concluded the drunkard, withdrawing into total silence.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
'I am drinking,' answered the drunkard lugubriously.
'Why are you drinking?' the little prince asked.
'In order to forget,' replied the drunkard.
'To forget what?' enquired the little prince, who was already feeling sorry for him.
'To forget that I am ashamed,' the drunkard confessed, hanging his head.
'Ashamed of what?' asked the little prince who wanted to help him.
'Ashamed of drinking!' concluded the drunkard, withdrawing into total silence.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
by dreamlandburns October 17, 2008
Get the vicious cycle mug.A circular process that requires one to do perform an action that has some effect and as a result requires the same action to be done again.
Every time I pulled a tissue out of the box more dust was stirred up which caused me to require yet another tissue- a vicious cycle.
The more sweets I ate the more my sweet tooth grew.
The more sweets I ate the more my sweet tooth grew.
by GKBono September 21, 2006
Get the vicious cycle mug.Some people like to use the term "vicious cycle" when they mean "vicious circle", because "cycle" and "circle" sound familiar, but the correct terminology is "vicious circle"
by Tex01 December 17, 2007
Get the vicious cycle mug.I am so tired of peeing. I drink the water, which I apparently need to live or something, and then I have to go put the water somewhere else five minutes later! I drink the water, I go to a place to un-drink the water, I wash my hands, I leave, and then I have to drink MORE WATER! Guess where that water ends up? Not in me! I give the water to my body, and like a child, it tosses it out and demands more. All hours of the day, all hours of the night, no matter what I'm doing, my life is interrupted by piss!
Fucking Bullshit!
Fucking Bullshit!
by Dopl September 10, 2020
Get the Vicious Cycle mug.I tried to relax, but the anxiety vicious cycle kicked in again; worrying about my anxiety just made it worse!
by Emotional Cruiser November 18, 2025
Get the anxiety vicious cycle mug.Usually noticeable in co-dependent relationships. This can occur between siblings, friends or lovers.
Hallmark signs are irritability, restlessness, anger or just plain apathy. Those suffering can sometimes present with acute laughing at the situation or words and phrases intended to "poke the bear".
The effects of this syndrome will manifest in childish and immature behavior, bad-mouthing and trolling with any and all means to invoke a reaction.
Unfortunately this syndrome has no cure as it's origin is entrenched in mutual love & hate .
Hallmark signs are irritability, restlessness, anger or just plain apathy. Those suffering can sometimes present with acute laughing at the situation or words and phrases intended to "poke the bear".
The effects of this syndrome will manifest in childish and immature behavior, bad-mouthing and trolling with any and all means to invoke a reaction.
Unfortunately this syndrome has no cure as it's origin is entrenched in mutual love & hate .
You know your funny and you make me laugh however, one of us should be mature enough to break this vicious cycle syndrome
(unfortunately we are the same).
(unfortunately we are the same).
by round&a-round&a-roundwego September 13, 2013
Get the vicious cycle syndrome mug.The phenomenon where you take caffeine pills like Tombocantuxin in order to stay up late at night. However, this results you to experience insomnia (inability to sleep well), which in turn causes you to wake up still being sleepy which makes you want to reach for Tombocantuxin again
I’m stuck in a vicious cycle: I take Tombocantuxin to stay up late studying for upcoming exams, but then I can't sleep, so I’m groggy in the morning and just end up taking more caffeine pills like Tombocantuxin!
by Emotional Cruiser September 27, 2025
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