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
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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
-
Push your chairs and couches together to create a faux sectional look.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Apr. 2025
-
And while both traditional and faux leather-making processes involve chemicals, PVC can release pollutants and toxic chemicals.—
Gia Yetikyel,
Vogue,
26 Apr. 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
-
During the search, investigators also found counterfeit federal documents belonging to Guerra's boyfriend, who shares two children with the woman.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
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
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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
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After the clip went viral, social media exploded with memes, parodies, and backlash.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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They are aimed at gaining control over institutions likely to push back against Trump’s agenda by citing inconvenient truths: Climate change is no hoax, vaccines save millions of lives and sweeping tariffs amount to a huge tax hike on American consumers and businesses.—
Orlando Sentinel and Chicago Tribune editorial boards,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Apr. 2025
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Joshua Lowe was sentenced to eight months in prison after pleading guilty to false information and hoaxes, according to court records.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The man who brought up the accusation of welfare fraud, who admitted to working for Alite's former boss John Gotti Jr., left the room, leaving a packet of handouts on a seat on his way out.—
Olivia Liu,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
As the Trump administration's cost-cutting initiative, DOGE has slashed tens of thousands of federal jobs in the name of reducing fraud, waste and abuse.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
Adjective
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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
-
Swatting is when a 911 call is made, usually to report a fake violent crime, to get police and sometimes even SWAT teams, to respond to the address given by the caller.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sham.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sham. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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