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
Verb
The game airs nationally on TNT, with Texas a 12-point favorite. —Asher Price, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024 Apple has gone all-in in MLS, Amazon airs NHL games and is getting into the NBA next year, while the likes of Max, Roku, and pretty much every service have gotten into sports in some way. —Andrew Webster, The Verge, 20 Dec. 2024 Blue Bloods airs its finale tonight on CBS, and to celebrate 14 seasons, the cast of the police procedural — including Tom Selleck, Bridget Moynahan, and Donnie Wahlberg — are taking a trip down memory lane. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2024 Too Early, which airs before Morning Joe, was launched in 2009 and featured Geist as host. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024 The Drew Barrymore Show airs Monday through Friday on CBS. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024 Red Lion Pub airs the Premier League, Champions League, Europe League, FA Cup, League Cup, Bundesliga, La Liga, EFL Championship, World Club, European Cup and other international competitions. —Jordyn Noennig, Journal Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2024 Three Lions also airs the Premier League, Champions League, Europe League, FA Cup, League Cup, Bundesliga, La Liga, EFL Championship, World Club, European Cup and other international competitions. —Jordyn Noennig, Journal Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2024 Best Friends airs Tuesday, October 22 at 10pm ET/PT on TLC and discovery+. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for airs
  1. show
  2. facade
  3. pretense
  4. gives
  5. guise
Noun
  • The White Lotus Season 3 finale is this weekend and one character will not make it out of the show alive.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The Oscar winner — who both wrote and stars in the stage adaptation of the 2005 movie Good Night, and Good Luck — celebrated the official Broadway opening of the show at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City on Thursday, April 3, without his wife.
    — Dave Quinn, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of show
Noun
  • Once it's completed, the removable floors, roof and detachable facades reveal this Marvel tribute in all its glory, for all to admire.
    — Paul Brett, Space.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • But disaffected ex-employees said the company’s facade of liberation hid something cultish.
    — Devlin Barrett, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of facade
Noun
  • The Trump Administration has significantly weakened America's national security infrastructure under the false pretense of government efficiency, by reducing staffing at the Departments of Defense and State, FBI, CIA, USAID, and others despite increasing global threats.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The Trump administration’s harrowing detention of Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil — and the broader repression of student activism on campuses across the country — is being sold to the public under the false pretense of ensuring Jewish safety.
    — Adam Jaffe, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of pretense
Verb
  • Chappell then gives the tiny girl quick chest compressions.
    — Hilary Shenfeld, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025
  • Sunday gives these coaches one final chance to coax their teams toward strong performances.
    — Mike Jones, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Definition of gives
Noun
  • And in its current guise, the RS E-Tron GT Performance delivers.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2025
  • After almost a decade out of the game, cult smartwatch brand Pebble has returned with a duo of watches, and under a new brand guise, Core Devices.
    — Andrew Williams, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of guise

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Airs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/airs. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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