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sham

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noun

sham

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sham different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of sham are counterfeit, fake, fraud, humbug, and imposture. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action.

condemned the election as a sham

Where would counterfeit be a reasonable alternative to sham?

In some situations, the words counterfeit and sham are roughly equivalent. However, counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When could fake be used to replace sham?

The meanings of fake and sham largely overlap; however, fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty.

these jewels are fakes; the real ones are in the vault

In what contexts can fraud take the place of sham?

While the synonyms fraud and sham are close in meaning, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

When is it sensible to use humbug instead of sham?

Although the words humbug and sham have much in common, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When might imposture be a better fit than sham?

The words imposture and sham can be used in similar contexts, but imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine.

their claim of environmental concern is an imposture

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 sham
Adjective
The sham hearing reminded me of a politburo proceeding, a realization that would be funny if the content of the hearing wasn’t so dangerous to our hunting, angling, and public-access traditions. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2025 Lastly, Perry curated a museum show devoted to the band’s impact in this parallel world, placing real-life artifacts, such as notebooks and gig posters, alongside a fake platinum record and sham ad campaigns. Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Noun
Pottery Barn Outlet Bedding Deals There are plenty of deals on comfortable quilts, cozy comforters, and shams in the Pottery Barn bedding sale section. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 May 2025 Quince often has Bundle & Save offers for up to 25% off select clothing and bedding sets with hotel-quality sheets, duvets, and shams. Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sham
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sham
Adjective
  • Over time, it’s led me to get creative — color me an unofficial professional at finding (faux) diamonds in the rough (a.k.a. luxurious-looking, affordable gems).
    Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 14 June 2025
  • The tufted back and seat cushions add a touch of elegance, while the faux leather upholstery ensures durability and easy maintenance.
    Jené Luciani Sena may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • These flaws include counterfeit, defective and tampered components.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 4 June 2025
  • Floyd, an unarmed Black man, died May 25, 2020 on Memorial Day, when cops in Minneapolis were arresting him for allegedly passing a counterfeit bill at a grocery store.
    Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, some mock boards don’t have Luis being drafted at all.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 17 June 2025
  • Connelly, like many media members, has taken part in the annual mock selection sessions run by the CFP to provide a window into its process.
    Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • The original Spaceballs quite explicitly hints at a sequel in a scene between Lone Starr (a parody of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo) and the Yoda-esque character of Yogurt (played by Brooks).
    Maddie Garfinkle, People.com, 13 June 2025
  • The rest of the cast is uneven, with certain scenes played poorly enough to evoke parody.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Police determined the call was a hoax before officers responded, according to KLAS.
    Joe Walsh, CBS News, 6 June 2025
  • Jones declared bankruptcy after the Sandy Hook families won $1.3 billion in two defamation suits in Connecticut and Texas after Jones spread bogus conspiracy theories that the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., was a hoax.
    Tovia Smith, NPR, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • The government push comes despite a Senate probe in May that revealed the labor program was fraught with problems including the commercial exploitation of job seekers, fraud, and poor working conditions overseas.
    Martin K.N Siele, semafor.com, 20 June 2025
  • The truth is that almost all the fraud, waste and abuse in the health care system comes from the billing and payment processes and skyrocketing prices, not from people who rely on Medicaid for essential care.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Diversify vendors, build local backups and stop pretending just-in-time solutions work in a world that’s anything but stable.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • In some of the newest wave of sextortion cases, schemers lure children and young adults into sharing illicit photos by pretending to be someone who's about the same age.
    Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 15 June 2025
Adjective
  • These tech support scams combine seemingly genuine offers of help regarding security issues surrounding account activity with fake ID Captcha prompts that involve executing malicious commands using the Windows Run prompt.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • There is often no real path to recovery, especially when the recipient disappears behind a fake username and an unresponsive support system.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sham.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sham. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

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