air 1 of 2

1
2
3
4
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

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
West, an entomologist for the Colorado State Forest Service who annually spends late-summer weeks evaluating the health of forests around the state from the air and on the ground, believes leaf peepers may be disappointed this year — at least in comparison to the past two. John Meyer, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025 Formula 1 has Monaco, with its ostentation and air of exclusivity. Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
The Late Show also aired a fake advertisement for a presidential drawing school. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2025 The Emmys are meant to recognize the best and brightest of the last year on TV (shows that aired between June 2024 to May 2025 are eligible), but the TV Academy doesn't always get it right. Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for air
Noun
  • The second reason is that these aura battler designs were very complex and full of curves as well as weird angles.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The result is an almost-black shade of mahogany that strikes the perfect balance of autumnal aura and goth feels.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Building a Lodge arsenal in your kitchen all at once can cost a pretty penny, but thankfully Amazon just marked down a number of cast-iron pieces to stock up on best-sellers and make your everyday cooking a breeze.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025
  • In a breeze, the solar lights sway softly, flickering like fireflies.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The attack was widely condemned in the Middle East and beyond as an act that could escalate tensions in a region already on edge.
    Jarrett Renshaw, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • KPop Demon Hunters transforms loving your favorite artist from a hobby into an act of creation itself.
    Yvonne Kim, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • O’Brien worked for months, fitting the songs and melodies to Treu’s compositions.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The 13-track record sees the New York native expertly float tales of love, heartbreak, positivity, and frustration over a dreamy bed of smooth soul, R&B, and bossa nova melodies.
    Staff Author, EW.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But voting rights groups and some election officials are voicing concerns that eligible voters could face barriers to casting ballots or be improperly removed from the rolls if states over-rely on incomplete information from SAVE.
    Miles Parks, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
  • And a belief long voiced by many in the region of Israel’s intention to sabotage peace talks has only been fortified by Tuesday’s strikes.
    Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The atmosphere was celebratory, with Kirk tossing hats into the crowd before diving into questions.
    Amanda Castro Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This breathtaking image from James Sinclair gives us a detailed view of a section of the sun's atmosphere known as the chromosphere — a chaotic region where hydrogen and helium plasma is molded and reshaped by our star's ever-shifting magnetic field.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While the head coach has been a breath of fresh air from a culture perspective, that aspect will only go so far if the team continues to lose week in and week out.
    Mike Kaye September 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Focus on body sensations, breath and presence without attempting to initiate contact.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • By showing both timelines, director Cato Kusters resists using Julian’s illness as a plot device, encouraging us to watch these women without the pretense of melodrama.
    Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But not everyone accepts that pretense.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 1 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/air. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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