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

Every World Cup match airs overnight, so the cost lands the next morning. — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 18 June 2026

The game airs on FOX, broadcast locally on WDAF (Channel 4). — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026

Like in the past, season 8 of the Peacock show does not air on Wednesdays, and only the companion talk show, Aftersun, airs on Saturdays. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026

The scene sounds almost cinematic, but Jen describes it without any airs or pretense. — Julie Jordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 June 2026

Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026

As audiences discuss reality television across social platforms, franchises communicate directly with viewers throughout a season's lifecycle, positioning audiences as an influential force before, during and after a season airs. — Jacqueline Jevtich, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Taskmaster airs on Channel 4 in the UK and the format has proven popular internationally, with numerous local versions up and running. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 10 June 2026

Hosted by Tituss Burgess and Laura Benanti, that earlier ceremony airs on the free network Pluto TV. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 June 2026

Verb

Dancing with the Stars season 35, which also airs on ABC, will follow up a season that spawned 72 million finale votes and nearly half a billion votes total. — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026

Fox airs the games and builds hours of programming around each match day, but digital media companies have also looked for their own ways to complement coverage of the world’s biggest sporting event. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 17 June 2026

The streamer’s biggest European original starring David Tennant, Aidan Turner and Danny Dyer, which airs on Hulu in the States, will be back for a 12-episode season after Season 2 dropped to solid ratings and a strong set of reviews. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 June 2026

The show also airs on the Paramount Network, but that’s mainly for new episodes. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026

The Las Culturistas Culture Awards airs simultaneously on Bravo and Peacock on Wednesday night. — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026

The station airs Oceanside’s City Council and various commission meetings, and reports on local events. — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026

The decision to launch Allen’s show in Colbert’s time slot on a Friday was surprising, because none of the current crop of late-night programs airs originals regularly on Fridays, meaning the audience does not regularly tune to them in typical numbers. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 29 May 2026

Graham Platner, Maine’s presumptive Democratic Senate nominee, began Memorial Day weekend by releasing an ad on the cable station that airs Boston Red Sox games accusing team owners of ruining the storied franchise. — Patrick Whittle, Fortune, 26 May 2026