doom loop

/ˈdum ˌlup/
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A worsening cycle in which each problem feeds the next and makes escape harder.

Examples

  • Analysts warned of a debt doom loop, but the new agreement broke the cycle.
  • Fewer passengers led to service cuts, and the cuts drove away more passengers, creating a doom loop.
  • The company escaped its doom loop by fixing customer support before spending more on advertising.
  • Are high rents and empty storefronts pushing the neighborhood into a doom loop?
  • Skipping sleep made her anxious, and the anxiety kept her awake in a doom loop.

Similar words

vicious cycle
negative feedback loop
vicious circle
downward spiral

Meanings

Self-reinforcing decline

everyday
informal
A set of connected problems in which each one makes another worse, creating a cycle that is difficult to break.

Examples

  • Fewer passengers led to service cuts, and the cuts drove away more passengers, creating a doom loop.
  • The company escaped its doom loop by fixing customer support before spending more on advertising.
  • Are high rents and empty storefronts pushing the neighborhood into a doom loop?
  • Skipping sleep made her anxious, and the anxiety kept her awake in a doom loop.
  • Analysts warned of a debt doom loop, but the new agreement broke the cycle.

Similar words

Etymology

A transparent combination of doom, meaning a terrible outcome, and loop, meaning a path that returns to its starting point.

FAQ

What does doom loop mean?

A doom loop is a cycle in which connected problems keep making one another worse.

Is a doom loop the same as a vicious cycle?

Yes. Vicious cycle is a close synonym, while doom loop often adds a stronger sense of serious decline or danger.

Is doom loop used only in economics?

No. It is common in economics and business, but it can describe any self-reinforcing decline, including problems in technology, cities, health, or daily life.

Is doom loop formal English?

It is informal but widely used in journalism, analysis, and ordinary discussion.

How can a doom loop be broken?

The cycle is broken by changing one of the conditions that keeps feeding the next problem.

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