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
Audiences hold influence over how reality television is marketed, experienced and discussed, prompting franchises to communicate with viewers before, during and after a season airs. Jacqueline Jevtich, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 Taskmaster airs on Channel 4 in the UK and the format has proven popular internationally, with numerous local versions up and running. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 10 June 2026 In the City airs directly after and also streams the next day on Peacock. Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026 The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS (check local listings). Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026 There will also be a DJ for entertainment before and after the episode airs. Zuri Primos june 8, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026 Hosted by Tituss Burgess and Laura Benanti, that earlier ceremony airs on the free network Pluto TV. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 June 2026 No airs and entirely unassuming. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 3 June 2026 The show airs on ABC and can be streamed on Hulu. Melina Khan, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Verb
The show also airs on the Paramount Network, but that’s mainly for new episodes. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026 The Las Culturistas Culture Awards airs simultaneously on Bravo and Peacock on Wednesday night. Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026 Season 2 of Pluribus, which airs on Apple TV, is expected to begin filming early next year. Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 The station airs Oceanside’s City Council and various commission meetings, and reports on local events. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026 The decision to launch Allen’s show in Colbert’s time slot on a Friday was surprising, because none of the current crop of late-night programs airs originals regularly on Fridays, meaning the audience does not regularly tune to them in typical numbers. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 29 May 2026 Graham Platner, Maine’s presumptive Democratic Senate nominee, began Memorial Day weekend by releasing an ad on the cable station that airs Boston Red Sox games accusing team owners of ruining the storied franchise. Patrick Whittle, Fortune, 26 May 2026 The Summer House reunion will show on Bravo, which is where the series normally airs. Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 24 May 2026 That report shows the amount of money spent on sportsbook television advertising is down from a peak in 2021 and the industry airs far fewer commercials than the pharmaceutical sector. Luke Connors, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for airs
Noun
  • Special effects artists and animators These workers create the visuals for films, television shows and video games.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • As a show of their doubt, top Iranian officials have vowed to sharply retaliate if the US violates the deal.
    Lou Robinson, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Neil Fanning voices the titular Great Dane, Shaggy's Scooby-snack-loving partner in crime, in both Scooby-Doo live-action films.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 June 2026
  • The outro repeatedly voices a darker anxiety.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Tarps continue to cover portions of the facade where the name had been displayed.
    Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 17 June 2026
  • Sign on facade at shoe company Allbirds, Walnut Creek, California, August 25, 2025.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Kantor expresses an empathy for young people that the more callous of this year’s graduation speakers seemed to lack.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
  • Potential for harm The executive order expresses concern about AI systems that can discover software vulnerabilities and write malicious code to exploit them.
    Anjana Susarla, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Mayim Bialik made her Big Bang Theory debut on season 3 as Amy, a neurobiologist who joined the gang under the pretense of being a potential love match for Sheldon via an online dating site.
    Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
  • This year, McVay avoided any pretense of suspense.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Despite the disagreement, Rigler said the ruling gives Cascadia supporters renewed confidence as legal challenges continue.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 16 June 2026
  • Hotel Breakers Sandusky, Ohio Hotel Breakers gives you a two-for-one waterfront hotel experience.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • The business owners argue that they’ve been denied leases in Westport for racially discriminatory reasons under the guise of improving public safety.
    Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
  • Opponents of affirmative action, who suspect that the process is still continuing under other guises, could seek to replicate the winning strategy of the Harvard and UNC cases, if testing data show large, unexplainable gaps in academic preparation among different student groups.
    Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • As his promoter Hearn confirmed to The Athletic last week, Joshua’s contract states the bout must take place in the UK.
    Chris McKenna, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • The affidavit states that Proper was transported to a local hospital for emergency admission based on what investigators described as homicidal ideation.
    Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Airs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airs. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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