AIRS Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

airs 1 of 2

noun

Definition of airs next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

How does the noun airs contrast with its synonyms?

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

Episodes six and seven drop on March 18, while the finale airs on March 25. —

Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 15 Mar. 2026 The contest airs on MSG and FDSIN. —

Data Skrive, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026 Oscar shorts at the Nelson The Academy Awards, the biggest award show for actors, directors, producers and their films, airs Sunday, March 15. —

Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026 Episode 2 airs tonight on ABC, streaming next day on Hulu. —

Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026 As its name implies, CBS News 24/7 offers around-the-clock programming and airs hallmark series for CBS including 60 Minutes, 48 Hours and CBS Mornings. —

Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026 Peacock confirmed that American viewers will be able to watch the upcoming British version of Saturday Night Live the day after each episode airs. —

Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026 The show will be available to stream with a regular Hulu subscription Sunday, the day after a new episode airs. —

Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026 The show airs in mid-April and stars an all-star cast including Zach Galifianakis, Sarah Goldberg, Rob Corddry, and Simon Helberg. —

Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026

Verb

The network usually airs a couple of games each week. —

Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026 For those unfamiliar, Hot Ones is an interview series that airs on YouTube — not on any television network. —

Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026 The comedian will host the event, which airs on CBS and is produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Deadline’s parent company PMC, again in 2027. —

Peter White, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026 There are days when the Tennis Channel airs 19 hours of live tennis — and that’s not including pickleball on one of its free streaming services. —

Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026 Neighbors airs new episodes Friday nights on HBO and HBO Max. —

David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026 The pairing is partly the vision of Eric Shanks, CEO of Fox Sports, which airs the entire IndyCar season on its main network channel. —

ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026 However, the episode left on a cliffhanger, so Gibney's answer won't be revealed until episode 12, which airs March 4. —

Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2026 Another sweeping drama—Outlander—is also up this month as the series begins its countdown to the last episode, which airs in May. —

Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for airs

Noun

In each show, the two nitwits would set out on some caper, which would inevitably go horribly wrong, leaving them broke, or tied up, or in jail, or hanging over a cliff, or some other situation of great peril.

— John Cassidy, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
With style, grace and a lot of love, the Lower Merion High School figure skating duo of Justin and Suri Lue know how to put on a cutting-edge show.

— Krystle Rich, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026

Definition of show

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air raids

airs

airship

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“Airs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airs. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

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Last Updated: 17 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of airs

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