Many cities stage events inside the tunnels to lure those who might be otherwise uncomfortable there and to soften the sometimes sterile atmosphere.

When asked whether halting beer sales might help, Gutman said, "You can't just say we'll cut it out and create a sterile atmosphere."

The scent of her prey lingered in the sterile atmosphere of the underground complex, so she knew exactly where she was going and why.

He truly loved the sterile atmosphere that surrounded him.

The landscape, he said, suggested a spa, "beautiful and restful," but he found the atmosphere sterile and scary.

In this sterile atmosphere, it's perfectly understandable how such a glitch could happen.

The stark illumination provided by the overhead lighting panels did little to liven the sterile atmosphere.

Now, in the world of high-tech computerized tankers, "it's developed into a pretty sterile atmosphere," he said.

Kristin was left by herself in the sterile atmosphere, enveloped by the aseptic smell of alcohol.

Other artists have wallpapered their own exhibitions to shake up the sterile atmosphere of contemporary galleries.