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
The show will be available to stream with a regular Hulu subscription on Sunday, the day after a new episode airs. Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Nov. 2025 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 Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication. Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025 Dancing with the Stars airs live Tuesdays on ABC and Disney+, and streams the next day on Hulu. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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 Wicked stars Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, and Ethan Slater will all appear on stage in the production which airs tonight. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 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 Which station airs Dancing with the Stars? Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 4 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 Eric Ramsay rarely airs public criticisms of certain officiating calls after a game. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025 Mark Shapiro wants to find out, the TKO president said in an interview for the latest episode of Sportico Sports Business Presented by Genius Sports, which airs on YES Network and the Gotham Sports app. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2025 Its unexpected demise made MultiChoice’s show, which airs on M-Net’s Msanzi Magic channel, even more critical. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for airs
Noun
  • In a recent Instagram post, Kardashian laughed off negative reviews of the show, which also stars Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts and Glenn Close, has been receiving from fans.
    Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
  • And the team behind the show, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at Monday’s New York premiere, teased that the audience will not be able to predict what happens.
    Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Fourteen-year-old Frankie Treadaway voices Harry Potter in the first three of the new audiobooks, with Arabella Stanton and Max Lester playing Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, respectively.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Abernathy voices similar sentiments.
    Victoria Bekiempis, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • While no major changes to the building's facade are anticipated, the project calls for a one-story addition to its north annex.
    Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The money, the success — all a facade.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • As advocates have pointed out, these qualifiers are vague enough that they could be wielded against anyone who expresses their sexuality or defies traditional gender roles.
    Abby Monteil, Them., 7 Nov. 2025
  • Miss Universe President expresses 'Great indignation' Rocha began his statement by expressing solidarity with the 122 delegates before criticizing Nawat's actions.
    Paula Soria, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • His memoir told of workhouse guards beating prisoners on the least pretense, and of one guard who regularly shoved prisoners down flights of stairs.
    Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime said in a May report that women from more than 20 African countries had been recruited under false pretences to make drones for Russia’s war.
    Reuters 16 hr ago, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • This gives guests direct access to historic centers and cultural landmarks while allowing more time to explore.
    DeAnna Taylor, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Decisions at COPs are made by consensus, meaning countries must agree on everything — a feature which technically gives any nation a veto and can make progress very slow and fraught.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Several actors donned the iconic guise of Ghostface in the Scream franchise, but one of the most intriguing is Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) in the original film.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
  • In this guise, Saverino is breathless with excitement.
    Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In a January 2025 report from Puck, which cited multiple sources, the settlement reportedly states that the Chandlers are not to be mentioned or dramatized in any film about Michael.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The United Airlines website states that customers can also reschedule their trip for free, during this time.
    Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Airs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airs. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

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