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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 But during Prasad’s tenure as the FDA’s head regulator of gene therapies, the agency tossed the agreement and demanded that UniQure conduct sham surgeries as controls. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2026

Noun

The company alleged the 2015 deal was a sham that set them up for bankruptcy. — Susanne Rust follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 Critics denounced the trial, which was held behind closed doors, as a sham designed to remove the popular leader from politics. — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sham

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sham

Adjective

The titular protagonist of Isador Machete Cortez enjoys a bizarre history, originating in the first Spy Kids movie before taking center stage in a faux trailer created for Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino’s exploitation throwback, Grindhouse.

— Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
The chrome finish and low-profile faux leather seat lend a contemporary look to any kitchen.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of faux

Adjective

Families typically will have no way of knowing what materials are inside counterfeit products.

— Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 13 Aug. 2026
The murder case is based upon the legal theory that Batsukh knowingly introduced the danger to Wilson despite his knowledge that the pills were counterfeit and unsafe.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of counterfeit

Adjective

Students are able to participate in industry field trips, job shadowing, career mentoring, mock interviewing, and potential internship or externship opportunities.

— Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 24 Aug. 2026
One-man, first-round fantasy football 2026 mock draft Gary Davenport likes Jahmyr Gibbs over Bijan Robinson, warns against CMC.

— Jess Bryant, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of mock

Noun

These polyester fits have also been parodied in video skits, where comedians put on an all-over polyester print outfit, like a wolf T-shirt and galaxy pants, and parody the stereotypical nerdy kid.

— Rachel Hale, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
The series, which featured elaborate original musical numbers ranging from Broadway parodies to pop pastiches, earned Bloom a Golden Globe for best actress in a television comedy or musical as well as an Emmy and Critics’ Choice Award.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 17 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

According to Hon Weng Chong, Cortical Labs founder and CEO, some potential applications include drug discovery, humanoid robotics, cybersecurity and fraud detection.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
In March 2025, the EPA terminated roughly $20 billion in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund grants, with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin alleging programmatic fraud and abuse.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of fraud

Adjective

The company behind a poll that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass touted as showing her with a double-digit lead in the mayoral race said the survey was entirely fake and part of a social experiment.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 18 Aug. 2026
There’s much more for fans of special effects to discover, from the practical snow used whenever feasible to the geysers of fake blood used to comedic effect.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 18 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 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of sham

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Synonyms of sham

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8 Words from Around the House

Words of Deception and Trickery

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