Sham

/ʃæm/ · adjective

Meaning

Intended to deceive; false..

Definitions by Sense

1. Intended to deceive; false.
2. Counterfeit; unreal.
3. A fake; an imitation that purports to be genuine.
4. Trickery, hoaxing.
5. A false front, or removable ornamental covering.
6. A decorative cover for a pillow.
7. To deceive, cheat, lie.
8. To obtrude by fraud or imposition.

Example Sentences

It was only a sham wedding: they didn't care much for one another, but wanted their parents to stop hassling them.

Artiles, a Republican operative with a reputation for a foul mouth and sharp elbows, is accused of financing a sham candidate whose candidacy was intended to siphon votes from a legitimate Democratic candidate in a state Senate race in South Florida’s 37th District. The candidate has the same last name as then-Democratic incumbent Jose Javier Rodriguez but did not actively campaign for the seat and has since admitted being recruited as a spoiler.

For this young lady was not able to carry out any emotion to the full; but had a sham enthusiasm, a sham hatred, a sham love, a sham taste, a sham grief, each of which flared and shone very vehemently for an instant, but subsided and gave place to the next sham emotion.

For the subject-cities, having secured a moderate form of government, and having no fear of being called to account for their proceedings, aimed at absolute freedom; they scorned the sham independence proffered to them by the Athenians.

But the artist[…] is equally famous for his drinking, gambling, his turbulent relationships, his famously chaotic studio, and for the mordant toast frequently attributed to him: “Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends.”

The time-share deal was a sham.

A con-man must be skilled in the arts of sham and deceit.

Tarzan would have none of it, and so he hunted alone that none might discover the sham that he was practicing.

Synonyms for sham

Antonyms for sham

Related Words

Word Forms

• more sham
• most sham
• shams
• shamming
• shammed

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions