cycle of misery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cycle of misery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a repetitive pattern of suffering or hardship that individuals or groups experience over time. Example: "Many people find themselves trapped in a cycle of misery, unable to break free from their circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Arrest warrants, driver's license suspensions, and additional fines for nonpayment compound and perpetuate the cycle of misery.

The Washington Post

Give them strength to resist sexual harassment and bullying, to face down body-image tyranny, to stand up for themselves and one another and you can break the cycle of misery they deflect onto each other.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Fall's grim cycle of misery began in 2013, when Metropolitan police detective Stella Gibson Gillian Andersonn) was brought into the fold of the Northern Ireland police to investigate a serial killer, the evocatively dubbed Belfast Strangler.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

When the chaos overwhelms her, she walks outside, even on a chilly day in January, a cigarette in hand, thinking of what she can do to escape what seems like a perpetual cycle of misery.

The New York Times

This new Patrick, for all that he is in the throes of a powerful mid-life crisis, is kinder, and implicitly shot through with resolve to break the cycle of misery - Larkin's coastal shelf - that passes slowly from one generation to the next.

The Guardian - Books

There's a growing understanding, especially in the United States, that simply being disadvantaged in cities (even without a seismic event such as Grenfell) can be distressing enough to induce post-traumatic stress disorder – which, untreated, helps to perpetuate a cycle of misery, violence, failure and shame.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The study did find, however, that adults often achieve temporary happiness when they have children of their own to perpetuate the cycle of human misery.

Huffington Post

Instead of helping, the procedure caused horrific and ever-worsening complications ― a cycle of insidious misery that I feared I would not escape until I drew my last dull, stifling, unsatisfying breath.

HuffPost

The trick is to avoid the perilous cycle of over-commitment, misery, overwhelm and defeat.

Independent

"The people of Wickford in Essex", in particular, who want Mr Prescott "to sample what his policies mean for families forced to live in the real world... They have been trapped for years in a cycle of fear and misery which no one seems willing to tackle". Apart from the Sun and the Mail.

The Guardian

Outside military intervention of the sort Trump discussed in 2017, on the other hand, would keep the cycle of dysfunction and misery intact.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cycle of misery", consider specifying the factors that contribute to the cycle to provide clarity and context. For instance, "a cycle of misery fueled by poverty and lack of education".

Common error

Avoid using "cycle of misery" in situations that are merely unpleasant or inconvenient. Reserve it for scenarios involving genuine, significant suffering and hardship to maintain its impact and avoid trivializing serious issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cycle of misery" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a recurring pattern of suffering or hardship. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it correctly conveys the idea of continuous negative events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cycle of misery" is a noun phrase used to describe a recurring pattern of suffering or hardship. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While it's grammatically sound, it's crucial to use it accurately, reserving it for situations involving genuine and significant hardship rather than trivial matters. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with formal business and scientific sources also employing it. Alternative phrases like "vicious cycle of suffering" can be used to convey similar meanings, and writers should consider specifying the contributing factors for clarity. When deployed thoughtfully, "cycle of misery" effectively highlights the repetitive nature of suffering.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vicious cycle of suffering

Replaces "misery" with "suffering", emphasizing the painful aspect of the cycle.

recurring pattern of despair

Substitutes "cycle" with "recurring pattern" and "misery" with "despair", highlighting hopelessness.

endless spiral of pain

Uses "endless spiral" to convey the continuous and worsening nature of the negative experience.

perpetual loop of anguish

Replaces "cycle" with "perpetual loop" and "misery" with "anguish", intensifying the emotional distress.

relentless chain of hardship

Focuses on the unbroken sequence of difficult circumstances.

inescapable trap of sorrow

Emphasizes the feeling of being confined and overwhelmed by sadness.

never-ending sequence of woe

Uses "woe" to denote deep sorrow or distress.

unending treadmill of adversity

Conveys a sense of constant struggle without progress.

chronic state of wretchedness

Describes a prolonged and deeply unpleasant condition.

persistent undertow of grief

Implies a constant, underlying feeling of sorrow that pulls one down.

FAQs

How can "cycle of misery" be used in a sentence?

You can use "cycle of misery" to describe situations where negative events or circumstances repeatedly occur, leading to continuous suffering. For example, "The community is trapped in a "cycle of misery" due to unemployment and lack of resources".

What phrases are similar to "cycle of misery"?

Similar phrases include "vicious cycle of suffering", "recurring pattern of despair", and "endless spiral of pain". These alternatives convey a similar sense of ongoing hardship and distress.

Is it appropriate to use "cycle of misery" in formal writing?

Yes, "cycle of misery" is appropriate for formal writing when describing serious and persistent suffering. However, ensure that the context warrants such a strong term and that it is used with sensitivity and accuracy. It's especially useful when discussing social issues, historical events, or personal struggles.

What is the difference between "cycle of misery" and "difficult situation"?

"Cycle of misery" implies a recurring and perpetuating pattern of suffering, whereas "difficult situation" refers to a single, isolated instance of hardship. The former suggests a prolonged and often systemic problem, while the latter describes a temporary challenge.