Synonyms of air

air 1 of 2

noun

ˈer 

1

as in melody

a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect

played a lively air on his fiddle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• melody
• song
• tune
• strain
• warble
• lay
• hymn
• rhythm
• meter
• lyric
• cadence
• ballad
• discant
• measure
• descant
• ditty
• madrigal

2

as in breeze

a slight or gentle movement of air

we sailed into the bay on a light air and just in time to enjoy a spectacular sunset

Synonyms & Similar Words

• breeze
• breath
• puff
• zephyr
• waft
• wind
• blow
• whiff
• current
• airflow
• sea breeze
• gale
• draft
• tornado
• norther
• windstorm
• tempest
• headwind
• westerly
• flurry
• blast
• southeaster
• squall
• northeaster
• southwester
• northwester
• tailwind

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm

3

as in aura

a special quality or impression associated with something

Naomi's the only person I know who can wear old jeans and a T-shirt with an air of elegance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aura
• atmosphere
• smell
• aroma
• climate
• flavor
• feel
• sense
• odor
• ambiance
• ambience
• mood
• feeling
• halo
• nimbus
• patina
• temper
• karma
• vibration(s)
• romance
• spirit
• mystique
• note
• sensation
• aureole
• image
• illusion
• property
• tone
• characteristic
• aureola
• attribute
• notion
• overtone
• semblance
• peculiarity
• trait
• genius loci
• color
• picture
• character
• suggestion
• mark

4

as in act

airs plural 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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

air

2 of 2

verb

as in to voice

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

• voice
• express
• state
• give
• ventilate
• sound
• vent
• look
• put forth
• announce
• raise
• circulate
• broadcast
• expound
• write
• convey
• say
• advertise
• give air to
• proclaim
• describe
• disseminate
• publish
• declare
• offer
• write up
• speak out
• enunciate
• submit
• communicate
• speak up
• enounce
• put over
• sound off
• put across
• chime in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppress
• restrict
• restrain
• stifle
• censor

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun air contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of air are affectation, airs, mannerism, and pose. While all these words mean "an adopted way of speaking or behaving," air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life.

a traveler's sophisticated air

In what contexts can affectation take the place of air?

The words affectation and air can be used in similar contexts, but affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

When would airs be a good substitute for air?

While in some cases nearly identical to air, airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

When is mannerism a more appropriate choice than air?

While the synonyms mannerism and air are close in meaning, mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

When could pose be used to replace air?

In some situations, the words pose and air are roughly equivalent. However, pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others.

her shyness was just a pose

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of air

Noun

The Americas had a stronger opening on air, averaging just under 5 million viewers for its first two episodes. —Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025

Three of the photos also included the carefree TV personality throwing her arms in the air, embracing the adventures. —Charna Flam, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025

Verb

College football games were occasionally televised in the 1930s and ’40s, but the sport started airing widely on TV in the early ’50s, around the same time as the Oscars. —Mike Pearl, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2025

While a study released in December by USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center’s Media Impact Project found that among 108 Jewish TV characters that aired between 2021 and 2022 only 18 percent of them referenced their Judaism, a number of high-profile instances have come through. —Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2025

Phrases Containing air

• air raid
• castle in the air
• give air to
• hot air
• open air
• up in the air