airs 1 of 2

Definition of airsnext
plural of air

airs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of air

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?

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
In September 2025, Disney suspended late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, whose program airs on ABC, after Kimmel suggested that right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk was killed by a fellow conservative. David Cortright, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026 The drama that launched with a major twist death airs weekly and repeated for two weeks as the top series on network or streaming in cross-platform ratings — earning a quick season two renewal from the network. Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026 The series premieres at the festival and airs on Radio-Canada in May. Jennie Punter, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026 The Season 2 finale of Paradise airs March 30. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026 And any airs that suggested otherwise were false. Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026 Episodes six and seven drop on March 18, while the finale airs on March 25. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 15 Mar. 2026 The matchup airs on FDSSW and Amazon Prime Video. Data Skrive, New York Times, 14 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
Verb
Dark Winds airs on AMC and streams on AMC+, with new episodes airing weekly on Sundays. Lisa De Los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026 The show airs on on Fox and will be available on Hulu the next day. Arushi Jacob, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026 The network usually airs a couple of games each week. Takashi Williams, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 Wait, isn't that what CNN airs every night? Gustavo Arellano, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026 Fox News Media, the home of the conservative-leaning cable channel, also offers a radio service with hourly newscasts and dedicated reporters, which airs on several hundred stations (the company does not supply a specific number). Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026 The new series, which airs on Sky TV in the UK, is set to premiere on Peacock this evening. Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 22 Mar. 2026 For instance, a Yankees game that airs on ESPN for subscribers in Miami might air on YES for New York City residents like me. Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 19 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for airs
Noun
  • Swift was photographed solo on the red carpet and with a group of iHeartRadio execs before the show at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Fan Fest continues through the weekend, with a drone show and music festival planned for Friday.
    Kenny Choi, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Ryan Reynolds voices Pony while Jason Momoa voices Bear in the story of two fugitive animals.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Keegan-Michael Key, who voices Toad, also showed up fully in character.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Set the scene At a cobblestoned intersection in the Tribeca North Historic District, an industrialist red brick facade gives way to eight floors of ethereal Art Deco interior design straight out of the South of France.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Future plans include repurposing the building’s former drive-thru lane into an outdoor cafe and adding new jellyfish murals to its front facade.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • If the rock star is a romantic individual who expresses some inner truth through original music, the idol is an omnicompetent interpreter of material.
    Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Natasha, who has come from Wisconsin, expresses similar sentiments.
    Séamas O'Reilly, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Maybe the pretense was comforting to him, too.
    Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
  • As architectural fashion has shifted, the software is no longer associated with complex geometry, and the pretense that digital tools might liberate architects—spurring them to new heights of creativity—has faded.
    Julian Rose, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This kit gives you the tools to protect yourself and your loved ones — especially vulnerable groups like children, older adults, and those with chronic conditions.
    CBS LA Staff, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Those are two key factors courts weigh in issuing TROs, after which a judge gives a fuller consideration as the legal process plays out.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Department of the Treasury last Thursday designated Hayat Yolu as a key player in a covert global network that uses the guise of humanitarian aid to raise money overseas.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
  • But sometimes the squashing of speech can appear in other guises.
    Andrea Valdez, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The official Instagram account for the restaurant chain states that the offer is dine-in only.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The charging document also states the sailboat lost wind propulsion, and Insua did not reverse course or slow down before crashing into the small boat.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Airs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airs. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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