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
Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 12 Nov. 2025
Now the junta that ousted her seeks to hold sham polls in December to entrench and legitimize their rule.
—Kim Aris, Time, 7 Nov. 2025
Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The shams zip completely closed, so there’s no shifting or falling out of the case.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sham
Adjective
The move comes after Trump has repeatedly suggested the accusations leveled against Netanyahu are sham, politically motivated charges.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 12 Nov. 2025
Now the junta that ousted her seeks to hold sham polls in December to entrench and legitimize their rule.
—Kim Aris, Time, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
People came from great distances to witness his flights, many bent on proving them a sham.
—Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The shams zip completely closed, so there’s no shifting or falling out of the case.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sham
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sham
Adjective
-
For maximum coziness, the Skechers Women’s Cozy Escape Snow Puff Slip-ins are like a hug for your feet, with memory foam cushioning and faux fur trim lining the booties.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Featuring a soft faux fur lining and non-slip rubber outsoles, these slides are sure to become your go-to shoes for cozy days at home.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Detectives from the Glendale Police Department said Auriona Lewis, 24 and Tatiyanna Foster, 26, allegedly used counterfeit $100 bills to purchase small orders and receive change.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Two people allegedly used $100 counterfeit bills at dozens of In-N-Out Burger restaurants in Southern California in a wide-reaching scam.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The semi-annual sale includes so many elegant staples, such as mock-neck cardigans, jackets with unique embellishments, and comfortable pants that look super polished — all starting at just $20.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
She’s arrived early for her first shift and has already started the residents and med students on some training by way of mock codes.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The three-year Off-Broadway hit is a parody of the classic film Titanic, imagining the story as if Celine Dion were narrating it.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Maduro played the song at so many events that Chavistas (or Maduro supporters) began to claim it as pro-Maduro, even though Santana made it as a parody of the president.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Trump has called the affordability argument from Democrats a Democratic hoax.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
-
While it was initially claimed that the letter was legitimate, it was later confirmed to be a cruel hoax.—
Makena Gera,
PEOPLE,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
New York Attorney General Letitia James asked a federal judge Friday to dismiss a mortgage fraud case against her, calling it a vindictive and politically motivated prosecution brought at the behest of a president who regards her as an enemy.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Quick action can sometimes limit further loss or help investigators trace the fraud.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
To pretend as if everyone doesn’t recognize him.—
Mirin Fader,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Parents reported that their children loved playing with the original Nékojita FuFu, pretending to fan their faces and blow-dry their hair.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Punter Sean West — whose long 24-yard heave on a fake punt outgained every quarterback on the roster.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Green expertly applies fake eyelashes, thick foundation and a dessert brown eye look, while Messina goes to work piling tight curls atop my head.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sham.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sham. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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