Definition

1. Noun:
   • An unhealthy or unpleasant vapor or atmosphere, especially one rising from decaying organic matter: "miasma" refers to a thick, unpleasant, and often harmful vapor or fog, traditionally believed to cause disease.
   • A pervasive, corrupting, or oppressive influence or atmosphere: "miasma" can also describe a figurative, unwholesome atmosphere that seems to surround and influence a situation.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The miasma from the swamp was blamed for the fever.
  • A miasma of cigar smoke filled the room.
  • The city was shrouded in a miasma of industrial pollution.
  • A miasma of corruption hung over the political process.

Advanced Usage

• "a miasma of [abstract noun]": used to describe a powerful, negative, and all-encompassing atmosphere of something intangible.
  • The scandal left a miasma of distrust among the employees.
  • His speech was filled with a miasma of bitterness and regret.

Variants and Related Words

• Miasmal (adj): relating to or resembling a miasma.
  • The miasmal fog clung to the riverbanks.
• Miasmatic (adj): of the nature of or filled with miasma.
  • The air in the cellar was damp and miasmatic.

Synonyms

• Effluvium: an unpleasant or harmful odor, secretion, or discharge.
• Stench: a strong and very unpleasant smell.
• Pall: a dark cloud or covering of smoke, dust, or similar matter; often used figuratively like "miasma".
• Fog: a thick cloud of tiny water droplets; can be used figuratively for confusion or obscurity.

Related Phrases

• "a cloud of": similar figurative use for an atmosphere of suspicion, doubt, etc.
  • The allegations cast a cloud of suspicion over his victory.
• "an aura of": the distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround a person or thing (can be positive or negative).
  • He carried an aura of authority.

Related Idioms

• "a whiff of scandal/corruption": a slight but perceptible trace of something bad.
  • There was a whiff of scandal about the deal.
• "in the air": felt by a number of people to be present or happening, though not concrete.
  • A sense of change was in the air.

Noun

1. unhealthy vapors rising from the ground or other sources
   • the miasma of the marshes
   • a miasma of cigar smoke
2. an unwholesome atmosphere
   • the novel spun a miasma of death and decay