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

The show was last week recommissioned for a second season before the first airs. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 May 2026

Where to Watch Kentucky Derby 2026 The horse racing event (and pre-race coverage) airs on NBC, which can be streamed live via DirecTV (with a five-day free trial), Sling or Hulu + Live TV. —Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2026

The elder Taylor exuded the easy-going charm of a music legend who is free of any airs or affectations. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026

The Open Mind airs weekly on PBS. —Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026

With the cancellation of Starfleet Academy after its second season airs next year, that should bring the current crop of streaming shows in the franchise to an end. —ArsTechnica, 26 Apr. 2026

The reunion won’t begin airing in full until after the season finale airs on May 19, so this leak comes at least a month ahead of the conversation going public. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026

Follow Farmer Brett’s journey for love when Farmer Wants A Wife airs on FOX on Tuesday nights, next day on Hulu. —Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026

Verb

While your mattress airs out, or the baking soda is sitting on the mattress, move on to wiping the surfaces. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 May 2026

Essiedu and Frost were making a rare on-stage appearance as two stars from one of the biggest upcoming shows coming to the small screen, which airs at Christmas time. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 May 2026

Next the hosts talk about the latest episode of Sportico Sports Business Presented by Endava, which airs on YES Network and a number of other networks across the country. —Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 28 Apr. 2026

Robert Costa, the award-winning national correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning and chief Washington analyst for CBS News, talks about Michigan's role in this critical midterm election during an appearance on Michigan Matters, which airs this Sunday. —Carol Cain, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

Legacy of Monsters, which airs Fridays and is now in its second season. —Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

This post will be updated as Margo’s Got Money Troubles airs its remaining five episodes weekly through May 20. —Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 15 Apr. 2026

The network typically airs one or two roasts every year. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025

The show, which airs as an internet livestream, features cartoon voice actors led by their DM, Matthew Mercer. —Eric Francisco, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025