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
Discourse in the group continues long after the show airs, with members keeping up with the contestants from past seasons via social media and clamoring for details about their lives. Tanya Fedak, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 Channels, Streaming Services NCAA football airs across a host of networks and accompanying streaming services (both live TV streamers and on-demand services). Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2026 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 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
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
  • Crude-tanker stocks have led the rally, up 120% year-to-date, followed by car carriers, gas carriers and dry-bulk shippers, Lloyd's data show.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The fact that the show couldn’t manage even a modicum of suspense with the same material shows how utterly sauceless this adaptation is.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Vasarhelyi, seemingly a less hands-on presence in this project, voices a few more misgivings, at one stage pointedly asking her husband how many people who have previously been guests at their dinner table are now dead.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Actor Denis Leary voices the restaurant’s creator, Joe Baum, drawn from decades of archival recordings.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In 2025, a mini renovation updated the hotel’s façade, added more seating and a second hot tub to the indoor pool area, and refreshed the Gallery Restaurant to give it a more modern feel.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
  • How much Moreno cared about criticism was unclear — though there were cracks in the facade.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Belinda expresses interest in acting and dance but also doesn’t want to leave the countryside.
    Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Likewise, when a veteran employee expresses hesitation about a new operational structure, do not label them as resistant to change.
    Kent Ingle, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Using the pretense of a documentary film crew, the show follows the excruciatingly dull workday experiences of a paper supply company in a drab office in a bleak industrial estate in Slough, England.
    René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Behind closed doors, Chloe gets hired by Melody under the pretense that Chloe is helping her teacher’s illiterate husband learn how to read.
    Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • What gives me pause are injuries and the lack of good offensive linemen.
    Adam Coleman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Check fraud has been around for ages, but modern tech gives fraudsters new and more powerful tools.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 5 Sep. 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
  • Maintaining voter lists is the responsibility of states, not the federal government, as the Constitution dictates that states control elections.
    Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Velchik told Talwani that the federal government is offering states the choice to opt into the system.
    Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Airs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airs. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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