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
Verb
The network typically airs one or two roasts every year. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025 The show, which airs as an internet livestream, features cartoon voice actors led by their DM, Matthew Mercer. Eric Francisco, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025 Fans will get a preview of the upcoming season on March 2, when ABC airs a special after the 97th Oscars. Daniela Avila, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025 The White Lotus airs on Sunday nights on HBO. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025 Hearst Television airs Tamron Hall in 23 markets including WCVB-TV Boston, WMOR-TV Tampa, KCRA-TV Sacramento, WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, WBAL-TV Baltimore, KMBC-TV Kansas City, WLWT-TV Cincinnati, WISN-TV Milwaukee and WPBF-TV West Palm Beach. Denise Petski, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2025 Deal or No Deal Island airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC. Julie Jordan, People.com, 16 Feb. 2025 Paw Patrol, which airs on Nickelodeon and is available to stream on YouTube, Paramount+, and other platforms, has been the third most in-demand children's TV series worldwide since at least 2020, beating out shows like Cocomelon, Bluey, and Peppa Pig, according to Parrot Analytics. Alana Semuels, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025 When With Love, Meghan finally airs in March—after it was pushed back due to the ongoing devastation of the LA wildfires—we’ll likely get even more of a glimpse into these super personal wardrobe items and interiors. Olivia Allen, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for airs
Noun
  • Golden Gate Park, which sits in the city's center and was a magnet for rock and theater performances of all kinds in the '60s, will host three shows by Dead & Company – the name given to what remains of the original band plus current guests – at the park's Polo Fields Aug. 1, 2 and 3.
    Marco della Cava, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • The show, which is set to premiere later this year, will see the kids face the challenges of carrying on the Chrisley name and legacy after their parents were locked up.
    Peter White, Deadline, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Late on Thursday, Dolton Village Trustee Stanley Brown took in the church’s facade from beneath his black cap.
    Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
  • While this might create a show-stopping facade, bigger isn’t always better.
    Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • In the source material, Dina’s pregnancy is used as an excuse to leave her behind in the theatre, pitting players as Ellie alone, who can set aside any pretenses of the journey being anything more than a revenge mission without her partner’s safety to worry about.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025
  • Republicans who fall for this scheme are abandoning any pretense of free-market principles.
    Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • Midfielder Curtis Jones has deputised at right-back with Trent Alexander-Arnold (ankle) sidelined, but a fully fit Bradley gives Slot a specialist in that role.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Williams gives Daigneault the freedom to do it.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Alpine, which is owned by Renault and has won four world titles in its previous guises as Benetton and Renault, has undergone a period of significant staff and management upheaval since Szafnauer’s departure.
    Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • Cybercriminals Cyber threat opportunism takes many guises, from ransomware actors leveraging media interest in Elon Musk and DOGE to launch a trillion-dollar attack, to physical attackers using shoulder-surfing techniques to steal your phone and access the data contained within.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Airs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airs. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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