airs 1 of 2

plural of air

airs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of air

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun airs contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of airs are affectation, air, mannerism, and pose. While all these words mean "an adopted way of speaking or behaving," airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

Where would affectation be a reasonable alternative to airs?

The meanings of affectation and airs largely overlap; however, affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

In what contexts can air take the place of airs?

In some situations, the words air and airs are roughly equivalent. However, air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life.

a traveler's sophisticated air

When could mannerism be used to replace airs?

The words mannerism and airs can be used in similar contexts, but mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

When might pose be a better fit than airs?

While the synonyms pose and airs are close in meaning, 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 airs
Noun
Episode one of the eight-episode season airs November 1 on HBO Max. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026 With performer lineup updates rolling out throughout August, there's now a clearer picture of what viewers can expect when the live broadcast airs September 3 from the Starlite Auditorium in Marbella, Spain. Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 McAfee is expected to continue his daily talk show that airs on ESPN and other platforms. Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 The ad airs as Hinojosa, a state lawmaker, has aggressively looked to exploit an undercurrent of discontent in rural, Republican strongholds over data centers’ perceived threat to rural life, ranchland and dwindling water supplies. Marc Levy, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026 Seinfeld airs on Comedy Central, nightly on TV Land and occasionally on other Paramount cable networks. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 An encore of the broadcast airs Saturday, August 15 at 10/9c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Lauren Clark, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 How to watch Shark Week 2026 Shark Week 2026 airs on the Discovery Channel while streaming on Max and Discovery+ from Sunday, July 26, through Saturday, August 1. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 26 July 2026 The challenges are where most of the drama goes down, but the show also recruited none other than Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, to serve as a guest judge for an episode that airs on July 26, 2026. Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 24 July 2026
Verb
Moreno is mum about what transpired at the reunion, which airs on Monday, August 31, but says that Dean approached her in the hallway to clear the air. Paula Mejía, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 The popular reality program that airs three times a week on CBS is a one-of-a-kind social experiment where 16 strangers are locked in a house together for the summer. Matt Minton, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026 For $6/month, viewers can watch all out-of-market live preseason action on NFL+, unless the game airs on a national network, as is the case Thursday night when ESPN covers Fernando Mendoza and the Las Vegas Raiders’ trip to play the Houston Texans. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2026 The series airs every Tuesday evening and then streams after that. Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 The combat and self-defense competition series, which airs on YouTube and across social media has generated 150M views online and has run for three seasons. Peter White, Deadline, 17 July 2026 The new episode of Most Extreme Humans airs Wednesday, July 15 at 9 pm ET/PT on TLC. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 However, the finale typically airs in late September or early October. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Season one airs Tuesdays on Bravo, and has already filmed its first reunion, to air after the installment finishes airing. Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for airs
Noun
  • In addition to Broadway, the show has played in nine countries across four continents since making its West End debut in 2019.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Early in the show, Styles thanked opening act Jamie XX and then took a moment to acknowledge a full-circle moment on this opening night.
    Karla Cote, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Groff voices Kristoff, the endearing, odd ice miner who emerges as a surprising love interest for Anna in the first film.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Tom Krasovic voices his opinion (here) that the moves made the Padres a playoff team.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Built in 1939, the dwelling’s traditional facade, with gable dormers and white picket fencing, sets the tone for interiors by local design firm KKD that feel rustic and modern at once.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The team says the material could eventually be used in energy recovery ventilation, building facades, thermal comfort systems and other building applications.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Gunter, a 14-year client, expresses his happiness at seeing the store reopen after its move from Northlake Mall.
    Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Stewart, while offering advice on ownership challenges, expresses pride and excitement for Briscoe, noting their relationship will evolve from idol/driver to friendly competitors.
    Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Every horror series at some point has to reset — to drop the pretense that the audience knows or remembers its world, its characters, and its rules, and to start anew with characters who need everything explained to them.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The food is stellar, as is the service, but there isn’t a shred of pretence about any of it.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • While a decision on Luis’ eligibility is unlikely to come soon, adding Dent and Clark at least gives Wade some cover in case his various roster-building methods fall through.
    Devon Henderson, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • That gives our pizza this nice balance, this lightness and this strong structure.
    Bradley Alvelo, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Throughout the weekend, Dudamel embraced the worlds of Hollywood, Latin music in many guises and old-fashioned rock.
    Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • With their traditional, legacy rivals — the Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur — in various guises of transition, Arsenal are suddenly the team to beat and the Emirates is suddenly a library of sound; noise please.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The judge found that the three did, in fact, violate the charter, which states that council members may not interfere with appointments or removals in the city manager’s office, or give orders to the city manager’s subordinates.
    Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Colossal also states that competition dashboards and profile pages are taken down after the campaign concludes.
    Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Airs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airs. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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