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

Colbert, whose show airs on CBS, said he was told by network lawyers that Talarico couldn’t appear on the show. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Feb. 2026

This twist allowed fans to vote on 11 key categories throughout the game, including the colors of the tribes, how many twists and challenges there will be and others, and those who voted will not know the results of the votes until the show airs. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026

The matchup airs on FDSDET and TSN. —Data Skrive, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026

The Drew Barrymore Show airs weekdays on CBS. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026

Many are already adopted by the time the show airs, however, thanks to their cuteness level. —Chris Sims, IndyStar, 8 Feb. 2026

The ceremony airs live on NBC, Telemundo, Peacock and Universo. —Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2026

This year’s Super Bowl is a contest between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, and airs on NBC and streams on Peacock. —Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 8 Feb. 2026

Country artists Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert and Gabby Barrett will share the stage with Kid Rock when the show airs on various right-wing networks and across TPUSA’s social media channels. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026

Verb

Much of the frustration over the situation has not been directed at Davidson, but rather at the BAFTAs and the BBC, which airs the show. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2026

Sherri airs weekdays in syndication. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Feb. 2026

Meanwhile, gold medalist Tara Lipinski and Olympian figure skater Johnny Weir are now Olympics analysts with broadcaster NBC and also happen to be on the latest season of reality TV show The Traitors, which airs on the Peacock network as well. —Rafael Nam, NPR, 19 Feb. 2026

That network partnership is also the reason the All-Star Game was an afternoon affair on the West Coast, because NBC airs the Winter Olympics at night. —Greg Beacham, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026

Hayu airs around 10,000 hours of reality TV. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026

Below, find the full list of performances at the 2026 Super Bowl, which airs on NBC and Peacock. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2026

Duffy, as well as Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks, whose network airs IndyCar races, also weighed in with statements praising the anticipated event. —Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026

The Diplomat is a rare Netflix show that now airs yearly, seasons 2 and 3 both in October of subsequent years. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026