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
Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
In 2019, the FTC sued several Agora entities over products that promised a sham cure for Type 2 diabetes, and information about a nonexistent government benefits program.
—Emily Baker-White, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025
The California high-speed rail project is a sham and should have been stopped many years ago.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sham
Adjective
The hoax of further democratizing what was always implicitly democratic relies on sham logic.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
In 2019, the FTC sued several Agora entities over products that promised a sham cure for Type 2 diabetes, and information about a nonexistent government benefits program.
—Emily Baker-White, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Noun
Senate Judiciary Republicans are holding a sham hearing now.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025
The California high-speed rail project is a sham and should have been stopped many years ago.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sham
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sham
Adjective
-
During 1-on-1 drills, Morris lined up against London, looking to press the wideout as a faux defensive back.—
Hailey Hurst,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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Key styles include knitted jacquard suiting and reversible coats lined with faux fur, satin pants, tweed suits, and modern pinstripes on chiffon.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Ownership is clear, authenticity is unquestionable, and counterfeit coins simply cannot exist within the network.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Five people from New York — including two juveniles — were arrested on Monday and accused of trying to use counterfeit money at a number of businesses in Westport.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
To supplement those real-life cases, providers visit simulation labs, do monthly mock scenarios, and review advanced skills, such as using an ultrasound to help guide breathing tubes into patient airways.—
Arielle Zionts. KFF Health News,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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The tin box includes a hinged plastic clear window where a small paper copy of an issue of The Daily Planet, featuring a large photo of Superboy’s canine pal Krypto on the front page with a mock story.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The brothers are reuniting for the first time in 18 years to write an original script for the restart of the horror parody franchise, writing and producing the movie alongside Rick Alvarez.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
15 Aug. 2025
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Some Trump administration officials have sought to play along with the parody, seeking to be in on the joke rather than just the butt of them.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Jussie Smollett has maintained his innocence in the case, as the debate of whether or not the incident was a hoax or a hate crime has continued in the more than six years since the incident.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
14 Aug. 2025
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The authorities, though, said on Wednesday, Aug. 13, that detectives believe the whole stunt was a hoax.—
Liam Rappleye,
Freep.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the rise of AI and sophisticated fraud techniques means organizations are managing today's threats with yesterday's tools.—
Chris McHenry,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The audit said the foundations’ inaccurate financial reporting raises the risk of fraud and misappropriation of funds.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The latest text message attacks making headlines (1,2,3) pretend to be from Amazon.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The scammer will pretend to be verified customers and leave reviews for the products that are delivered to unsuspecting residents.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In some cases, scam victims have reached out to fraudsters on fake websites, which look legitimate, in hopes of recovering their funds.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Trump still puts himself on fake magazine covers for validation, but some version of his celebrity and influence — and the attendant and unnerving public scrutiny — is now available to anyone who wants it.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sham.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sham. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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