atmospherics

plural noun

at·​mo·​spher·​ics ˌat-mə-ˈsfir-iks 

-ˈsfer-

1

: audible disturbances produced in radio receiving apparatus by atmospheric electrical phenomena (such as lightning)

also : the electrical phenomena causing these disturbances

2

: actions (such as official statements) intended to create or suggest a particular atmosphere or mood in politics and especially international relations

also : the mood so created or suggested

3

: realistic detail added (as to a literary work) to create a mood

Examples of atmospherics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wild West drama Hostiles—seems to have taken great pleasure in building the story’s shifting atmospherics layer by layer, like late-winter strata of snow. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 Dec. 2022

Anchoring the humor and spectacle, and adding rich atmospherics, are the show’s scenic and sonic elements and Sarah Cubbage’s sharp retro costumes. —Celia Wren, Washington Post, 1 Dec. 2022

The routine bombast of Craig DeLeon’s score, and various preexisting pop tracks utilized, further underline an overall lack of instinct for thriller atmospherics. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022

And so this is very important for the DOJ to take very, very seriously, not just whether to indict, but the whole atmospherics around which this is going to occur. —CBS News, 19 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

atmospher(ic) + -ics

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 3