1
as in parodies
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something
condemned the rigged election as a total sham
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
Pottery Barn offers matching shams with zipper closures, and both the quilt and shams are available on sale.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Pizuna Cotton Sateen Duvet Cover To continue the all-white hotel aesthetic, choose a white duvet cover and matching pillow shams.
—Brittney Morgan, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2025
It’s woven from 100 percent organic cotton, includes a quilt and matching shams, and comes in both dark gray and olive green.
—Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025
The Bedsure down-alternative comforter set with microfiber filling includes two matching pillow shams.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 15 Aug. 2025
Huda Fakhreddine
august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
Exclusivo Mezcla Reversible Lightweight Quilt Set The Exclusivo Mezcla Quilt Bedding Set includes a reversible quilt and two matching pillow shams to tie the look together.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
Pottery Barn offers matching shams with zipper closures, and both the quilt and shams are available on sale.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Pizuna Cotton Sateen Duvet Cover To continue the all-white hotel aesthetic, choose a white duvet cover and matching pillow shams.
—Brittney Morgan, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2025
It’s woven from 100 percent organic cotton, includes a quilt and matching shams, and comes in both dark gray and olive green.
—Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025
The Bedsure down-alternative comforter set with microfiber filling includes two matching pillow shams.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
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Last year, in response to some political parodies that used images created by artificial intelligence, including one that pilloried Vice President Kamala Harris, the Legislature passed and Newsom signed two measures to outlaw such tomfoolery.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
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Kaufman and Herz co-founded Troma Entertainment in 1974, which has produced or distributed more than 1,000 low-budget parodies in the past five decades, including the original Toxic Avenger movie in 1984.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The non-profit said more oversight could help other counterfeits from entering the country in the future.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
25 Aug. 2025
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Zhang said more companies may face lawsuits from Pop Mart over Lafufus, but counterfeits might also decrease as Pop Mart ramps up its production.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Certain frauds included requests to share bank details or to pay upfront costs associated with onboarding, such as certification or background check fees.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Attackers also use email to launch ransomware attacks, deliver malware and pursue frauds such as spoof executive requests.—
David Prosser,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the clip, the pair execute the moves to the song’s post-chorus, before a bonnet-wearing Colbert pretends to choke on something, causing Gaga to erupt in laughter.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Seeing Laura come down the deck, Cherry pretends to be drowning.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The director was careful to avoid creating caricatures of religious figures.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The same red flannel was often featured in caricatures of Mammy.—
Danielle Amir Jackson,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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These hoaxes tax the resources of police departments and put an unquantifiable mental strain on the victims, ratcheting up the importance of putting a stop to them.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
1 Sep. 2025
-
The bureau warned that these hoaxes not only waste law enforcement time and resources but also endanger lives.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Yet the dolls and their fakes continue to be sold in large quantities both domestically and overseas.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
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Collectors can usually spot fakes by telltale signs like overly bright colors, missing holographic Pop Mart stickers, or the wrong number of teeth.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Across the room, a tube is hooked up to another dummy and connected to a machine that simulates bleeding.—
Beth Warren,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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The design simulates some key aspects of human perception and behavior, says Daniel Cervone, a professor of psychology specializing in personality theory at the University of Illinois Chicago.—
Webb Wright,
Scientific American,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shams. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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