miasm
/maɪˈæzəm/
noun
- A harmful or unpleasant vapor or atmosphere, especially one believed to cause disease.
- The swamp gave off a foul miasm that made the villagers sick.
- The old basement was filled with a damp miasm of mold and decay.
- In the 19th century, doctors thought cholera was caused by a miasm from rotting garbage.
- A pervasive and corrupting influence or atmosphere.
- A miasm of fear hung over the town after the mysterious disappearances.
- The company's toxic culture was a miasm that stifled creativity.
- The city was trapped in a miasm of corruption and greed.