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
• pretence
• front
• façade
• charade
• masquerade
• semblance
• disguise
• appearance
• cloak
• put-on
• performance
• playacting
• pretext
• persona
• portrayal
• affectation
• image
• impersonation
• duplicity
• deception
• gloss
• camouflage
• treachery
• fraud
• deceit
• excuse
• falseness
• betrayal
• dissimulation
• treason
• fakery
• color
• guile
• perfidy
• dissembling
• falsity
• double cross
• faithlessness
• infidelity
• double-dealing
• unfaithfulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sincerity
• frankness
• directness
• candor
• bluntness
• outspokenness
• forthrightness
• straightforwardness
• genuineness
• artlessness
• candidness
• naïveté
• openheartedness
• naiveté
• naivete
• 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

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