SHAM Synonyms: 254 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sham' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of sham are counterfeit , fake , fraud , humbug , and imposture . While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action. // condemned the election as a sham

Q: Where would 'counterfeit' be a reasonable alternative to 'sham'?

In some situations, the words counterfeit and sham are roughly equivalent. However, counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable. // 20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

Q: When could 'fake' be used to replace 'sham'?

The meanings of fake and sham largely overlap; however, fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty. // these jewels are fakes ; the real ones are in the vault

Q: In what contexts can 'fraud' take the place of 'sham'?

While the synonyms fraud and sham are close in meaning, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth. // the diary was exposed as a fraud

Q: When is it sensible to use 'humbug' instead of 'sham'?

Although the words humbug and sham have much in common, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent. // creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

Q: When might 'imposture' be a better fit than 'sham'?

The words imposture and sham can be used in similar contexts, but imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine. // their claim of environmental concern is an imposture

sham 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of sham next

as in faux

being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials a sofa upholstered in sham leather

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in mock

lacking in natural or spontaneous quality the sham friendliness of a salesman trying to sell you something

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sham

2 of 3

noun

ˈsham

as in parody

a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something condemned the rigged election as a total sham

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as in hoax

an imitation that is passed off as genuine the diamond turned out to be a sham

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original

as in fraud

one who makes false claims of identity or expertise that supposed French movie star was a sham

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sham

3 of 3

verb

as in to pretend

to present a false appearance of shammed a most unconvincing limp just to get sympathy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word sham different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of sham are counterfeit, fake, fraud, humbug, and imposture. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action.

condemned the election as a sham

Where would counterfeit be a reasonable alternative to sham?

In some situations, the words counterfeit and sham are roughly equivalent. However, counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When could fake be used to replace sham?

The meanings of fake and sham largely overlap; however, fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty.

these jewels are fakes; the real ones are in the vault

In what contexts can fraud take the place of sham?

While the synonyms fraud and sham are close in meaning, fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

When is it sensible to use humbug instead of sham?

Although the words humbug and sham have much in common, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When might imposture be a better fit than sham?

The words imposture and sham can be used in similar contexts, but imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine.

their claim of environmental concern is an imposture

Examples 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

Adjective

And volunteers given infusions of the antibody suffered from far more side effects such as nausea and headaches than those in a placebo group who received sham infusions. —

science.org, 26 Sep. 2024 High-ranking officials under the younger Daley got around patronage restrictions through sham job interviews and falsified applicant-rating forms. —

Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2024

Noun

Skip the standards with sham and follow the Euros with the bolster or lumbar. —

Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2024 The elections promised by the junta, slated for 2025, have also been denounced both domestically and internationally as a sham that would grant the junta the guise of legitimacy but offer little actual democracy. —

Koh Ewe, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sham

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sham

Adjective

Add a faux fur skirt or garland around the tree for an elevated approach to the decade.

Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024
Brands from Old Navy to Gucci have introduced burgundy into their fall collections, showing faux suede outerwear, lush sweaters and trendy footwear.

Jane Hanson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024