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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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

Check back on Deadline for Hawley’s postmortem interview, which will run immediately after the episode airs on the East Coast. —

Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 May 2026 Where to Watch Kentucky Derby 2026 The horse racing event (and pre-race coverage) airs on NBC, which can be streamed live via DirecTV (with a five-day free trial), Sling or Hulu + Live TV. —

Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2026 The elder Taylor exuded the easy-going charm of a music legend who is free of any airs or affectations. —

George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 The Open Mind airs weekly on PBS. —

Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026 With the cancellation of Starfleet Academy after its second season airs next year, that should bring the current crop of streaming shows in the franchise to an end. —

ArsTechnica, 26 Apr. 2026 The reunion won’t begin airing in full until after the season finale airs on May 19, so this leak comes at least a month ahead of the conversation going public. —

Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026 Follow Farmer Brett’s journey for love when Farmer Wants A Wife airs on FOX on Tuesday nights, next day on Hulu. —

Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026 The Drew Barrymore Show airs weekdays. —

Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026

Verb

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 Vossen tells us how Independent Lens, which airs on PBS stations, is responding to the crisis by reaching audiences in new ways. —

Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026 The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Tuesdays at 8 PM ET on Bravo. —

Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 24 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 This post will be updated as Margo’s Got Money Troubles airs its remaining five episodes weekly through May 20. —

Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 15 Apr. 2026 The Audacity airs new episodes Sundays on AMC+ and AMC. —

Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for airs

Noun

Earlier this month, the Kremlin announced that this year’s Victory Day parade, held every May 9th in Red Square to commemorate the Soviet victory in the Second World War, which is typically a show of Russian might, would be a modest, small-scale affair.

— Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
Related Stories Original stars of the show were in short supply, with several key cast members having passed on — including Paul Reubens, who died three years ago, and Phil Hartman and Lynne Marie Stewart, who died in 1998 and 2025, respectively.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 7 May 2026

Definition of show

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“Airs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airs. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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