A vicious cycle refers to a self-perpetuating sequence of events that exacerbate a problem. It's a term that is often used to describe negative patterns or recurring problems in our lives. Fortunately, there are several synonyms for the phrase that can be used to communicate the same idea. Some of the synonyms for a vicious cycle include a downward spiral, a self-reinforcing loop, a destructive cycle, a feedback loop, and a self-perpetuating cycle. These synonyms can be used interchangeably with the term vicious cycle to convey the same message of negative patterns that are hard to break.