1
as in parodies
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something
condemned the rigged election as a total sham
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in counterfeits
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 frauds
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 pretends
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 shams
Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 28 May 2026
The king-size quilt measures 90x180 inches, and also comes with two matching 20x36-inch shams.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2026
Make sure to add the matching shams to your order to complete the look.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026
Then snap up this pretty seersucker comforter set that includes two pillow shams and sheets (and comes in 30 colors) for just $37.
—Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
The set comes with two shams and is reversible with a simple solid white side.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Stripping and washing all bedding — including duvet covers, mattress protectors and pillow shams — is one of the most impactful tasks on any spring cleaning list.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
When paired with a chunky throw and, perhaps a plaid throw, the duvet cover and shams practically give off visual warmth.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2026
Her book of creative nonfiction titled Zaman saghir taht shams thaniya (A Small Time Under a Different Sun) was published by Dar al-Nahda, Beirut in 2019.
—Huda Fakhreddine
august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
This quilt and shams set is reversible, lightweight, high-quality, and breathable.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 28 May 2026
The king-size quilt measures 90x180 inches, and also comes with two matching 20x36-inch shams.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2026
Make sure to add the matching shams to your order to complete the look.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026
Then snap up this pretty seersucker comforter set that includes two pillow shams and sheets (and comes in 30 colors) for just $37.
—Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
The set comes with two shams and is reversible with a simple solid white side.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Stripping and washing all bedding — including duvet covers, mattress protectors and pillow shams — is one of the most impactful tasks on any spring cleaning list.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
For more of our favorite linen bedding, check out sheet sets, duvet covers, quilts, throw blankets, pillowcases, and shams below.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
When paired with a chunky throw and, perhaps a plaid throw, the duvet cover and shams practically give off visual warmth.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2026
Her book of creative nonfiction titled Zaman saghir taht shams thaniya (A Small Time Under a Different Sun) was published by Dar al-Nahda, Beirut in 2019.
—Huda Fakhreddine
august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shams
Noun
-
Its various iterations have managed to hold viewers' attention in the years since (the 2009 sibling version inspired a slew of parodies and fan fiction).—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
20 May 2026
-
His most viral videos include skits about dueling Drake and Kendrick Lamar tracks and parodies amplifying more serious lyrical messages in popular party music.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Unprosecuted crimes against the public — such as the widespread sale of 78-cent postage stamps for 19 cents to 59 cents, rolls of 100, counterfeits all, for years online.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Its expert team enforces strict production rules, promotes the brand globally, fights counterfeits and certifies every wheel.—
Antonia Mortensen,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Their only inheritance is a legacy of two-bit crime that inspires them to run increasingly audacious frauds.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
4 June 2026
-
The request was audacious, even by the standards of a man accused of one of the largest financial frauds in history.—
Jennifer Gould,
Air Mail,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
In each new place, Charlie pretends to be Layla, hoping to ensnare an unsuspecting Stanley into his web of deceit.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
-
Elsa argues with her mother, Isabel doesn’t like to be questioned and pretends everything’s all right, while Amalia hangs with dodgy characters and makes claims that seem real only to her.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
What did that film teach you about the challenge of portraying political differences without turning people into caricatures?—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
Too often issues are nationalized where people begin to argue with strangers, which can lead people using caricatures to oversimplify complex problems.—
DJ Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
All of the threats, including the one at Zoo Atlanta, turned out to be hoaxes.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, has also been the subject of death hoaxes in the past, including in 2018, when a fake article reporting his death circulated online.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The main goal isn't to catch fakes but to move inventory.—
Padmakumar Nair,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
Unfortunately, we were deprived of all those fake idols getting played because players kept leaving the game with fakes in their pockets, socks, and bags.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The Supercomputer simulates the remaining fixtures of a season 10,000 times and analyses the results to create an average league table from those simulations.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The facility is likely the only one in the world that can do full-load, bidirectional testing that simulates both grid conditions and variable data-center loads.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shams. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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