airs 1 of 2

noun

Definition of airsnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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
Viewers will get more context when the next episode airs Tuesday. —David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2025 The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS (check local listings). —Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025 This is how media coverage and your communications strategy, in general, develop depth that endures long after the interview airs. —Jenna Guarneri, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 The series airs and streams live on ABC and Disney+ and also has next-day streaming on Hulu. —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025 The Paper – How to Watch The Paper airs at 12 am Pacific Time (PT) on September 4, 2025/3 am Eastern Time (ET). —Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS (check local listings). —Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025 Good Morning America airs weekdays on ABC. —EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
Burton noted that this audience is much younger than its traditional audience on PBS, where the show still airs in a linear form. —Peter White, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025 So a network that airs the Super Bowl or an awards telecast will be able to give a sense of the audience for the event, even if the bulk of that number will likely hinge on linear viewing. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025 As many viewers know, WPLG 10 and ABC divorced this year, and ABC programming now airs on a digital channel owned by Sunbeam, which is WSVN 7’s parent company. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025 Unlike shows like The Real Housewives and The Traitors, which film months ahead of their premieres, Love Island airs episodes within hours of filming, while contestants remain separated from their phones and essentially isolated from the real world. —Caroline Framke, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025 Love Thy Nader airs Tuesdays on Freeform. —EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025 YouTube will soon realize the Taylor Swift mania effect, too, as the tech behemoth exclusively airs Friday’s game in Brazil, marking the platform’s first-ever live NFL game. —Mark J. Burns, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025 Typically, The Traitors — which airs on streamer Peacock — features celebrities competing for the cash prize, but this time, ordinary fans will play the game, with Alan Cumming returning as host. —Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 14 Aug. 2025 White, though, is part of the promotional team for the Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford fight in September in Las Vegas that airs on Netflix. —Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for airs
  1. show
  2. voices
  3. facade
  4. expresses
  5. pretense
  6. gives
  7. guise
  8. states
Noun
  • As fans scramble to catch the ball, footage shows, the ball appears to land one row in front of a woman while a man runs over and grabs it.
    — Chandelis Duster, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Following the show's cancellation, Gosselaar landed several leading roles on series such as Pitch (2016), The Passage (2019), and Mixed-ish (2019–2021).
    — Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of show
Verb
  • The podcast voices for the AI hosts are being customized and designed by the team.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Naveen Andrews voices the titular character, with additional cast including Wrenn Schmidt and Sonya Cassidy, and Star Trek veterans Tim Russ and George Takei also featuring.
    — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of voices
Noun
  • When Simone decides to grasp Kiki’s life for herself by starting an affair with Peter, though, Michaela’s beatific facade slips.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Today, its Portland stone façade and arched windows still speak to that Victorian grandeur, but inside the story has shifted.
    — Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of facade
Verb
  • But within the romantic tropes, Sheeran expresses feelings beyond falling in love with someone’s eyes and smile, instead embracing flaws (clothes strewn about the house) and habits (checking the door locks before bedtime).
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Bach Mai, who hails from Texas, expresses that RAISEfashion has been highly supportive of his namesake brand.
    — Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of expresses
Noun
  • By showing both timelines, director Cato Kusters resists using Julian’s illness as a plot device, encouraging us to watch these women without the pretense of melodrama.
    — Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But not everyone accepts that pretense.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
Definition of pretense
Verb
  • The hurricane center gives the system an 80% chance of formation through the next seven days.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • And podcasting gives me the perfect platform to do that.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of gives
Noun
  • As good as the car looks, especially in its open-top Volante guise, the real story can be found underneath its hood.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Now, palladium in a jar connected to nuclear fusion is being revived but in a different guise.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2025
Definition of guise
Verb
  • The will also states that priority should be given to luxury giant LVMH, L'Oreal, EssilorLuxottica or other groups, Reuters reported, adding that heirs should consider other fashion and luxury companies with which Armani's company has commercial ties for a sale.
    — Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The flag code states that the flag should fly at half-staff for 30 days following the death of a current or former president and 10 days for the death of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of states

Browse Nearby Words

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airship
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Cite this Entry

“Airs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airs. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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