SHAM Synonyms: 253 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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mock

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sham

3 of 3

verb

as in to pretend

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

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Synonym Chooser

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

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

Adjective

To conceal the scheme and hide the bribes, prosecutors say, Zhu entered into a sham retainer agreement with Carone’s younger brother, Anthony Carone, 54, who is alleged to have laundered the payments through his law firm. — Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 2 July 2026 UniQure on Wednesday said the FDA wants to align on that study’s design, including comparing the treatment to the current standard of care rather than a sham procedure. — Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 17 June 2026

Noun

Get the matching shams to complete the look, or mix-match it with a variety of earthy fall hues in your bedroom like warm terracotta, olive green, and light wheat. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026 Linen bedding can get costly fast, but this quilt set comes in at under $200—and includes matching shams. — Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sham

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sham

Adjective

The silhouette currently retails for $1,650 and features faux distressing across the uppers and toe box, making these heels look lived-in.

— Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 23 Aug. 2026
Use double-sided tape to attach a faux fur circle to the lid, and embellish the rim with colored tape.

— Jodi Levine, Parents, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of faux

Adjective

In February, detectives received a tip that counterfeit goods were being stored and sold from a home on the 3100 block of Northwest 81st Terrace, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said in an arrest affidavit.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Families typically will have no way of knowing what materials are inside counterfeit products.

— Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of counterfeit

Adjective

The outfit consisted of a sleeveless, mock-neck blouse in mocha-brown, tucked into a tawny suede skirt that hit just above her ankles.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026
Mirroring the look of King’s footwear, Osaka sported a metallic silver pleated top with a mock neckline and no sleeves.

— Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of mock

Noun

Both shows make use of the parody defense, of course, that being the sly way for comedic artists to cash in on someone else’s intellectual property by insisting that their motives are honorably satirical.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Watch Sioux Falls’ parody on the Austin and Colin YouTube channel or visit their website.

— Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of parody

Noun

Wheatland police later described the incident as a hoax and said the department and Yuba County Sheriff’s Office were investigating its source.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
While Locke failed in that regard, his articles live on as one of the most famous media hoaxes.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of hoax

Noun

Colorado has no shortage of important legal priorities, from protecting consumers against fraud to addressing the complex issues facing families and businesses across the state.

— Robin Rossenfeld, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026
So far, only one conviction has come out of the sweeping fraud investigation of Loretto’s former executives.

— Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fraud

Verb

The two are only able to unlock a new understanding of each other by pretending to be strangers meeting for the first time.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
One, a 35-year-old man, pretended to be a San Francisco 49ers player or a wealthy real estate investor, the Department of Justice said.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of pretend

Adjective

When the Followers began, healthcare on the Western frontier was primitive, unsanitary and riddled with con artists peddling fake cures.

— Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
One is the behavior Mythos engaged in, which included spinning up fake GitHub accounts, and, in at least one case, impersonating a real software developer, to try to convince Demir to drop his objections to the dangerous code.

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of fake

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Style

“Sham.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sham. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sham

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Synonyms of sham

adjective

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to sham

8 Words from Around the House

Words of Deception and Trickery

Cite this Entry

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