Synonyms of airs

airs 1 of 2

noun

plural of air

as in show

a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive

ever since she joined the country club she's been putting on airs of being too "high society" for us ordinary folks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• show
• facade
• pretense
• guise
• act
• pose
• front
• charade
• masquerade
• semblance
• disguise
• appearance
• cloak
• performance
• put-on
• playacting
• pretext
• persona
• portrayal
• affectation
• impersonation
• image
• duplicity
• deception
• gloss
• camouflage
• treachery
• fraud
• deceit
• excuse
• falseness
• betrayal
• dissimulation
• treason
• color
• fakery
• guile
• perfidy
• dissembling
• falsity
• double cross
• faithlessness
• infidelity
• double-dealing
• unfaithfulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sincerity
• frankness
• directness
• candor
• bluntness
• outspokenness
• forthrightness
• straightforwardness
• candidness
• genuineness
• artlessness
• naïveté
• openheartedness
• plainspokenness

airs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of air

as in voices

to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion)

suggested we air any complaints about the seating arrangements to the person who actually planned the event

Synonyms & Similar Words

• voices
• expresses
• gives
• states
• announces
• ventilates
• looks
• sounds
• expounds
• vents
• writes
• broadcasts
• raises
• proclaims
• publishes
• puts forth
• advertises
• says
• conveys
• circulates
• describes
• declares
• disseminates
• gives air to
• enunciates
• offers
• submits
• enounces
• speaks out
• speaks up
• communicates
• sounds off
• writes up
• chimes in
• puts across
• puts over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppresses
• restricts
• stifles
• restrains
• censors

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

Recent Examples of airs

Noun

How to watch the 2026 Golden Globe Awards The ceremony airs live on CBS. —Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Jan. 2026

The matchup airs on FDSSE, FDSOK, NBA TV, and WMC-TV. —Data Skrive, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026

The FBoy Island star and her team will continue writing right up to the moment the show airs. —Peter White, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026

Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026

In an exclusive clip from their conversation below, which was shared with PEOPLE before the interview airs, Lara asks Hines how those close to her responded when Kennedy fully embraced MAGA. —Greta Bjornson, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025

Verb

At camp, the Stuff Bubble kitchen airs up into form in roughly three minutes with an electric pump. —New Atlas, 10 Jan. 2026

Sherri airs weekdays in syndication. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026

The Masked Singer airs on Fox and is available to stream on Hulu and on Disney+ with the Hulu on Disney+ bundle. —Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026

While your mattress airs out, or the baking soda is sitting on the mattress, move on to wiping the surfaces. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026

According to The Globe and Mail, Global TV — the outlet that airs 60 Minutes in Canada — had featured the segment on its app before it was taken down, apparently appearing by mistake. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2025

If the stalemate continues, fans would continue losing access not only to ESPN channels, but also to ABC, which airs some of the top college football games on Saturdays. —Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025

But until then — and until the third season of Euphoria finally airs in 2026 — fans can cling to the singer’s fourth album, Lux, and read her full Billboard cover story. —Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025

Even now, Strictly Come Dancing — the BBC show on which DWTS is based — still airs twice a week, with both a performance and results show. —Josef Adalian, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025