air 1 of 2

1
as in melody
a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect played a lively air on his fiddle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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air

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun air contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of air are affectation, airs, mannerism, and pose. While all these words mean "an adopted way of speaking or behaving," air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life.

a traveler's sophisticated air

In what contexts can affectation take the place of air?

The words affectation and air can be used in similar contexts, but affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

When would airs be a good substitute for air?

While in some cases nearly identical to air, airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

When is mannerism a more appropriate choice than air?

While the synonyms mannerism and air are close in meaning, mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

When could pose be used to replace air?

In some situations, the words pose and air are roughly equivalent. However, pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others.

her shyness was just a pose

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of air
Noun
In a previous exchange of missile fire in April, the IDF destroyed a variety of Iran’s air defenses and missile capabilities. Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025 Moscow has been ramping up its aerial assaults on Ukrainian cities, using novel tactics to elude Ukraine’s defenses as the country faces a shortage of air defense missiles. Mathias Hammer, semafor.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
Things have been heating up very quickly on Season 7 of Love Island USA, which airs nearly in real time. Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 June 2025 The remainder of the game is scheduled to air on ESPN. Brady Oltmans, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for air
Noun
  • There’s a melancholy in the melody, but at the same time, the rap and vocals really pull out the raw emotion.
    Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Michael Robinson heard the saxophone melody drifting toward his bus Wednesday and walked over to hear Damico Brown’s smooth jazz notes outside the Gary Metro Station.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Fitting these is a breeze, and the same thing can be said for the sticks and D-pad toppers.
    Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Weekend outlook After a day of breezes across the capital region for Juneteenth, conditions are forecast to remain seasonably clear and warm, with Sacramento and Redding expected to reach the low 80s and Auburn and the lower Sierra foothills in the mid-70s on Friday.
    Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • While jumping from one show to the next, Walters nurtured her relationship with fans and would have been appalled by the current aura of distrust.
    Peter Bart, Deadline, 26 June 2025
  • Verne purists won’t be pleased, because the tragic aura that surrounded Nemo in the novels doesn’t exactly translate here, and the adaptation’s company story line is so overwhelming while ultimately feeling too rapidly resolved.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Yet a war with Iran may be enough to seemingly legitimize his use of the act.
    Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
  • Grace reminds us that spaceflight is not just a feat of engineering, but an act of goodwill to the benefit of every human everywhere.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Nationwide retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have voiced alarm about potential price hikes as a result of the levies.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 18 June 2025
  • When Ferrari first revealed its EV plans, many outspoken fans voiced their disapproval, as was to be expected.
    Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • The Supreme Court justices declined to hear an appeal filed by Structured Asset Sales, a company owned by investment banker David Pullman, that owns a partial stake in Gaye’s 1973 song.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 17 June 2025
  • While many may view the song as a sort of Beatles redux moment, Starkey swiftly pushed back on that notion.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • As businesses held their breath for the arrival of 2025, there was a striking decline in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity.
    Matt Kunkel, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Ticks find their hosts by detecting animals’ breath and body odors, or by sensing body heat, moisture and vibrations, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • These plants create an atmosphere that encourages you to sit and relax at the end of the day.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 June 2025
  • Here’s what communication experts told Fortune about how managers should address an increasingly fearful atmosphere around immigration in the U.S.
    Brit Morse, Fortune, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/air. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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