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
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
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
Regina Garcia Cano, Austin American Statesman, 3 Jan. 2026
Myanmar’s military rulers claim lead in disputed poll Myanmar’s military rulers claimed to have dominated the first phase of national elections widely dismissed as a sham but which were nevertheless notable for China’s growing role.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Jan. 2026
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
His 2018 reelection was widely considered a sham because the main opposition parties were banned from participating.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Austin American Statesman, 3 Jan. 2026
Myanmar’s military rulers claim lead in disputed poll Myanmar’s military rulers claimed to have dominated the first phase of national elections widely dismissed as a sham but which were nevertheless notable for China’s growing role.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sham
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sham
Adjective
-
Other details that make a room look smaller include faux beams and coffered ceilings.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Fahsyee Faux Leather Skirt A pencil skirt exudes instant polish, but for a look that feels more evening-ready, go shorter with a style like this faux leather version from Fahsyee.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
15 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 instead engaged in a clumsy cover-up, insisting that the files are both a fantastical hoax devised by his enemies and also too boring to even merit discussion.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Trump has called the affordability argument from Democrats a Democratic hoax.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The president and his allies accused Cook of mortgage fraud.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
-
At the same briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt came out swinging at Minnesota Democrats in defense of the ICE agent while touting the Medicaid fraud investigation, which dates back to the Biden administration.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
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
-
The board cited recent state and federal decisions, which have both noted the issue of AI programs citing fake legal citations is growing.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Howze, who has schizophrenia, was also able to escape the hospital following the incident, only to be return a few days later wearing a visitor’s pass with a fake name.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sham.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sham. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
