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
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025
The active group received a current of 2 mA with brief (30-second) periods of ramping, whereas the sham group got a ramp-up/ramp-down current that felt real but wasn’t therapeutically active.
—New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 21 Oct. 2025
This sheet set also comes with shams, all made from cotton percale for a cool, crisp sleep year-round.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sham
Adjective
As reported by GroundUp, Bester was involved in a lucrative scam while behind bars by posing as the chairman of 21st Century Media, a sham media and events company that claimed to be a subsidiary of 21st Century Fox.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025
The active group received a current of 2 mA with brief (30-second) periods of ramping, whereas the sham group got a ramp-up/ramp-down current that felt real but wasn’t therapeutically active.
—New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
Each episode sees Bingham and Kulik chase down a different scam, ranging from a $53,000 PayPal refund scheme, a $500,000 cryptocurrency sham and an Arkansas scam ring that has stolen more than $80,000 from local seniors.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 21 Oct. 2025
This sheet set also comes with shams, all made from cotton percale for a cool, crisp sleep year-round.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sham
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sham
Adjective
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Heathyoga Pleated Dress Pants Heathyoga cozy-fied the idea of a classic dress pant with an elastic waistband, faux back pockets, real side pockets, a faux fly, and belt loops.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The bootie slippers are covered in a striking microwool and lined with pillowy faux fur that’s super warming.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The company also underscores its crypto wallet’s minimalist threat surface, durability, and counterfeit checks.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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While it is considered safe, unapproved injections or counterfeit injections can come with serious side effects, including botulism, which can be fatal.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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What really makes the dress stand out is its chic details, which includes a structured seam around the waist, gold-tone decorative buttons, and a mock neckline.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The eye-rolling, groaning, mock-despair brings the group together.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The second posting of the parody quickly received 500,000 views and once again caught Wendy’s attention.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
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The inspirations for the Love Connection parody were Miami Vice's Tubbs and Crockett, though Hall acknowledged her most immediate lookalike.—
Lex Goldstein,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But Kim Kardashian amplified a long-running conspiracy theory that the moon landing was a hoax that NASA staged.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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Jones is a conspiracy theorist who said the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax staged by crisis actors.—
Scott Wartman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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However, Cena outsmarted him by grabbing the chair, throwing it next to Dom, and pretending to be down on the mat.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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In the 43-part series, Monroe calls several churches and other places of worship pretending to be a mother in need of formula for her baby.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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 20 Nov. 2025.
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