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

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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Noun

Now he’s gainfully employed and featured on the network nearly all year, including on a draft-centric studio show that airs every weekday afternoon for the ten weeks preceding the event. —

Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026 An impression that airs on the show can quickly become the default version for a broad audience, regardless of where similar ideas may have originated. —

Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026 Colbert’s final installment airs May 21. —

Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2026 Fox News released snippets of Hannity's interview before the full interview from Beijing airs on Thursday evening. —

Joey Garrison, USA Today, 14 May 2026 Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the episode airs. —

Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 13 May 2026 Leaving the dry, crisp winter of America for the warm and comfortable airs of the Caribbean was an adjustment. —

Essence, 12 May 2026 The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs weeknights on CBS and new episodes are available the next day on Paramount+. —

Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026 Aftersun is the talk show that airs on Saturdays in which the hosts interview eliminated contestants and celebrity superfans about their thoughts on what’s happening on the island — so both Pessoa and Miller are bringing their interviewing skills from the red carpet to Fiji. —

Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 11 May 2026

Verb

That report shows the amount of money spent on sportsbook television advertising is down from a peak in 2021 and the industry airs far fewer commercials than the pharmaceutical sector. —

Luke Connors, Washington Post, 19 May 2026 Louis-Dreyfus' Wiser Than Me podcast, from Lemonada Media, airs new episodes on Wednesdays. —

Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026 The series is set to wrap its 50th season when the finale airs Wednesday, May 20. —

Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 12 May 2026 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 The network typically airs one or two roasts every year. —

Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for airs

Noun

Each game was introduced with a clip from the show that fits it perfectly, starting with the Colts' Week 1 date with the Baltimore Ravens.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Now, viewers for dramas, comedies and reality shows are harder to come by, because people now have the leeway to watch their favorites at any moment of their own choosing.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 May 2026

Definition of show

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air raids

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“Airs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airs. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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