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
Verb
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 Fans will get a preview of the upcoming season on March 2, when ABC airs a special after the 97th Oscars. Daniela Avila, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025 The White Lotus airs on Sunday nights on HBO. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025 Hearst Television airs Tamron Hall in 23 markets including WCVB-TV Boston, WMOR-TV Tampa, KCRA-TV Sacramento, WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, WBAL-TV Baltimore, KMBC-TV Kansas City, WLWT-TV Cincinnati, WISN-TV Milwaukee and WPBF-TV West Palm Beach. Denise Petski, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2025 Deal or No Deal Island airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC. Julie Jordan, People.com, 16 Feb. 2025 Paw Patrol, which airs on Nickelodeon and is available to stream on YouTube, Paramount+, and other platforms, has been the third most in-demand children's TV series worldwide since at least 2020, beating out shows like Cocomelon, Bluey, and Peppa Pig, according to Parrot Analytics. Alana Semuels, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025 When With Love, Meghan finally airs in March—after it was pushed back due to the ongoing devastation of the LA wildfires—we’ll likely get even more of a glimpse into these super personal wardrobe items and interiors. Olivia Allen, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for airs
Noun
  • The creators referenced the video game his show is based on, as well as real-world places that saw mass destruction, like the area around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
    Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
  • And thank you to everyone who not only watched the show, but took Spencer James’s mantra of ‘Dream Big.
    Selome Hailu, Variety, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • Drop the facade to create space for genuine connection.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • The damage to the facade appears mostly cosmetic, but the threat to the priceless VHS tapes, DVDs, Blu-rays, and more media locked inside was enough to close the shop for several days.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Perhaps Posey will look into that now that the pretense of the campaign has been lost.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
  • UConn is already closing small classes and programs on the pretense of efficiency, while asking faculty to teach increasingly larger classes.
    Letters to the Editor, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • Midfielder Curtis Jones has deputised at right-back with Trent Alexander-Arnold (ankle) sidelined, but a fully fit Bradley gives Slot a specialist in that role.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Williams gives Daigneault the freedom to do it.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This was a trouncing of historical proportions, the biggest margin of defeat in the history of the Champions League final, both in its current version and its previous guise as European Cup.
    Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • Newspapers, once only a platform to distribute daily happenings, are continuing to inspire, only in a different guise.
    Samantha Tse, CNN Money, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Airs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airs. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

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