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
As Okongwu fell to the floor, the ball floated in the air and Bane swatted it down off Okongwu’s head like a volleyball player executing a spike. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025 Allie Hoffman − the mastermind behind this experience, called The Feels − breaks the nervous buzz in the air with a declaration to the group: that modern dating is, indeed, broken. Charles Trepany, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
The pair appeared on Girl Meets World, which aired on Disney Channel from 2014 to 2017 and served as a sequel to the 1993-2000 coming-of-age ABC series Boy Meets World. Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025 The film is directed by Nicolas Brown, produced by Passion Planet and will air on Prime Video worldwide from early next year. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for air
Noun
  • The most gifted preachers transformed that aura into spiritual empires, drawing thousands to megachurches, filling television airwaves and sometimes amassing personal fortunes.
    Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Since then, the college aura — the open practices, the packed stands, and the small-town camp atmosphere — has become an iconic, recurring part of the Bills' season build-up.
    Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Iguazú Falls Landing in Foz do Iguaçu was a breeze.
    Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Tries a first flight from the escarpment, a learner breeze across the valley, and realises – wow!
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • During the tour for the band's previous album, We, singer Feist dropped out of the lineup as the opening act, citing the accusations against Butler as the reason for her departure.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
  • All are dressed in period garb — Clarkson in a gorgeous gown and her band, My Band Y’all, led by musical director and keyboardist Jason Halbert, in formal white dinner jackets typical of musical acts at the time.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The pair seamlessly weaved between their catalogs, switching off on the melody and harmonies, delivering a true rock & roll party that got better with each song.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Because every lyric and every melody was very intentional from all our collaborators.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Airline industry leaders, unions and government officials have voiced concerns about the strain on vital employees like air traffic controllers, who are working without pay and increasingly unable to maintain regular shifts.
    Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has often voiced his trust in Roseman.
    Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The Bachelor will always find a wife in six weeks, Kim and Khloe will always make up, and Chrishell and crew will always wear inappropriate outfits in a professional atmosphere.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Strong winds also are expected to lash the West Coast as an atmospheric river (a corridor of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere, sometimes called a tropical plume) arrives on Friday.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Kwei uses his last breath to send his brother to Genna, offering him a chance to at least attempt his first hunt.
    Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • For now, a controversial loan product is back in the spotlight, and the housing market is holding its breath for the next move from the central bank.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Under the pretense of going to the bathroom, Dunne escaped out the window and took off in her car, which Sweeney jumped the hood of.
    Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Dwarfing its predecessor and three inches taller, the Ford GT made no pretense of being a racing machine like the car that inspired it.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/air. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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