1
as in faux
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials
a sofa upholstered in sham leather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in counterfeit
being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud
street vendors selling sham designer handbags to gullible tourists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
the sham friendliness of a salesman trying to sell you something
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in parody
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something
condemned the rigged election as a total sham
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hoax
an imitation that is passed off as genuine
the diamond turned out to be a sham
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fraud
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise
that supposed French movie star was a sham
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to pretend
to present a false appearance of
shammed a most unconvincing limp just to get sympathy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sham
Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Every sham election becomes a referendum not just on policy but on avoiding a return to war.
—Sophal Ear, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Megan Schaltegger, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2025
Items like duvet covers and pillowcases and shams fall under this limited-time discount event.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sham
Adjective
Once the sham businesses were created, the complaint says Asayag directed the unidentified co-conspirators to post fake reviews on Google services.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Every sham election becomes a referendum not just on policy but on avoiding a return to war.
—Sophal Ear, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
The sunny set includes a quilt in twin/twin XL, full/queen, and king sizes and matching shams to create a cohesive look in your space.
—Megan Schaltegger, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2025
Items like duvet covers and pillowcases and shams fall under this limited-time discount event.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sham
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sham
Adjective
-
This depends on the material, but faux leather is usually less susceptible to damage from steam.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
-
Our feeds are flooded with faux news and half-truths, designed to prop up confirmation biases and advance political agendas.—
Slaine,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
Also known as package confusion, this form of attack was first demonstrated in 2021 in a proof-of-concept exploit that executed counterfeit code on networks belonging to some of the biggest companies on the planet, Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla included.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2025
-
In February 2018, during the previous Trump administration, Ortega-Anguiano tried to reenter the U.S. with a counterfeit document.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Some mock drafts had the Steelers taking a running back like Omarion Hampton in the first round.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Lucky for us, Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz dives right into that dicey proposition with his very, very early look at the players who could be prominent figures in mock drafts to come.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Bowen Yang is opening up after Aimee Lou Wood criticized Saturday Night Live's parody of her.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
After the clip went viral, social media exploded with memes, parodies, and backlash.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Don’t want forwarded messages about how climate change is a hoax?—
Ars Staff,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2025
-
The document was a hoax—the work of a political satirist—but, as Tinline shows in this riveting history, it was taken seriously by numerous news outlets and by readers, even after it was exposed as a sham five years later.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
Noun
-
Republicans defend the changes as necessary to prevent fraud in the petition-gathering process, but bill sponsors said that among hundreds of allegations of petition fraud in 2024, there were 18 arrests.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2025
-
Both were eventually convicted on various counts of wire and securities fraud, as well as money laundering.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
On Friday night, during rounds two and three of the draft, Sanders received a call from someone pretending to be New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
-
After watching a movie with Stoddart, the teenage boys pretended to leave, only to sneak back into the house through the basement shortly after.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
With digital platforms flooded with bots and fake numbers, Kerns built his following and client base by offering true engagement, authority, and working systems.—
Rhiannon Frater,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
-
One way bots attack businesses is by creating fake accounts that can cash in on incentives like referral credit, discounts and promotions.—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sham.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sham. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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