Vicious cycles are difficult to break out of, as they perpetuate themselves without end. However, there are many synonyms that can be used to describe these negative patterns of behavior or events. One such synonym is a "negative feedback loop," which refers to a repeating cycle of actions that lead to increasingly negative outcomes. Another possible synonym is a "downward spiral," which suggests a pattern in which one negative event leads to another, resulting in a worsening situation over time. Finally, one could use the term "self-reinforcing pattern," which describes a cycle that becomes stronger and more difficult to change over time, as each repetition reinforces the behavior or event.