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 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
by dreamlandburns August 27, 2008
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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.
by GKBono September 21, 2006
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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 November 18, 2007
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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!
by Dopl September 10, 2020
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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 .
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).
by round&a-round&a-roundwego September 14, 2013
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An overrated, half-assed band with an overused, half-assed name. The band has existed for 32 years probably and enjoys having it's many fan, Cory, in the Portland\vancouver metro area. The band was made famous after coming up with their most original album idea yet: sex robots. A fully functional sexbot was built for a local show, but after wandering away from the venue it was found with two women, knee deep in a swamp of passion and a bucket of chicken. When they can't be found shredding the ears off the folks at the 40 et 8 BINGO hall, they can be found in someone's garage shredding the established idea of decent music.
-"Hey, have you heard that awesome band vicious cycle!?"

-"No."
by Bristol H. Hawkstone April 27, 2024
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