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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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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

Participants received either Wegovy or a placebo (sham drug) once a week for two years. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 16 Sep. 2026 One of the entrants for the Festival Poems had been a sham Wordsworthian hymn to the poor flowers. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Noun

Critics dismissed the polls, held in phases in December and January, as a sham designed to consolidate the military’s grip on power while ostensibly restoring civilian rule. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 Filling Decorative Pillow Shams Decorative pillow shams in guest bedrooms that get little use offer an easy way to repurpose old towels. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sham

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sham

Adjective

For the fashion lover who prefers to make a statement, look to the collection’s red-hot faux-fur Madison shoulder bag.

— Laura Jackson, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026
An electric fireplace and lots of glazing round out the space, and the timber shiplap finish and faux stone fireplace surround are a nice touch, lending it a cabin-like look.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of faux

Adjective

Researchers found that some counterfeit devices even reported legitimate looking Samsung model identifiers.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
San Francisco police said cychlorphine, estimated to be 10 times estimated more powerful than fentanyl, can be found in counterfeit pills designed to look like Xanax, Adderall and Oxycontin.

— Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of counterfeit

Noun

The joke became the Cockroach Janta Party, a parody of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP, and then a protest movement.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026
For those who don't know, GTA VI is set in the fictional Vice City, which is a parody of real-life South Florida.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of parody

Noun

Matthew Unglesbee, a 36-year-old resident of Quincy in southwestern Illinois, was charged with violations related to false information and hoaxes and mailing threatening communications.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
Schools banned its use, and journalists were shamed for credulously repeating its hoaxes.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of hoax

Verb

Smart did not enter pleas to charges of being armed, or pretending to be armed, in a way that may cause fear and with making an unlawful threat.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Lee uses this to his advantage, pretending to be a pidgin-speaking Chinese immigrant to protect himself from white people’s suspicion and mistrust.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of pretend

Adjective

In episode 4, Noah made up an elaborate ruse involving a fake friend’s wedding in Napa — a means of getting Joanne to wine country for a romantic weekend.

— Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2026
The two fans came with their own props even though fake mustaches were given to fans at the entry gates.

— Armando L. Sanchez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of fake

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Style

“Sham.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sham. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sham

adjective

noun

verb

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Words of Deception and Trickery

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