There are several other terms that can be used interchangeably with the phrase "air ball." Some of the most popular synonyms include "brick," "miss," "clanker," and "whiff." All of these terms refer to a missed shot attempt in basketball, particularly when the ball misses the rim or the backboard entirely and lands out of bounds or in the hands of the other team. While the phrase "air ball" is often used to describe failed attempts from beyond the three-point line, these synonyms can be used to describe misses from any distance on the court.