AIRS Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

airs 1 of 2

noun

Definition of airs next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 game airs nationally on TNT, with Texas a 12-point favorite. —

Asher Price, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024 Apple has gone all-in in MLS, Amazon airs NHL games and is getting into the NBA next year, while the likes of Max, Roku, and pretty much every service have gotten into sports in some way. —

Andrew Webster, The Verge, 20 Dec. 2024 Blue Bloods airs its finale tonight on CBS, and to celebrate 14 seasons, the cast of the police procedural — including Tom Selleck, Bridget Moynahan, and Donnie Wahlberg — are taking a trip down memory lane. —

Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2024 Too Early, which airs before Morning Joe, was launched in 2009 and featured Geist as host. —

Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024 The Drew Barrymore Show airs Monday through Friday on CBS. —

Hannah Sacks, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024 Red Lion Pub airs the Premier League, Champions League, Europe League, FA Cup, League Cup, Bundesliga, La Liga, EFL Championship, World Club, European Cup and other international competitions. —

Jordyn Noennig, Journal Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2024 Three Lions also airs the Premier League, Champions League, Europe League, FA Cup, League Cup, Bundesliga, La Liga, EFL Championship, World Club, European Cup and other international competitions. —

Jordyn Noennig, Journal Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2024 Best Friends airs Tuesday, October 22 at 10pm ET/PT on TLC and discovery+. —

Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for airs

Noun

How ‘Wicked’ Changed the Lives of Its Stars: Only the women who’ve played Elphaba and Glinda in the show’s two decades onstage understand why the roles are so taxing — and so rewarding, too.

Benjamin Malapris, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Godfrey’s show will be helmed at Chicago Shakespeare by its original young director, Ellie Coote, presumably with an eye on the 2025-26 Broadway season.

Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025