shams 1 of 2

noun

plural of sham
1
as in parodies
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something condemned the rigged election as a total sham

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in counterfeits
an imitation that is passed off as genuine the diamond turned out to be a sham

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in frauds
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise that supposed French movie star was a sham

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shams

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sham
as in pretends
to present a false appearance of shammed a most unconvincing limp just to get sympathy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 shams
Noun
The set also comes with two matching pillow shams to tie everything together. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 20 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 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 Treat it as the foundation for a beautifully layered bed or add the matching pillow shams to streamline the look. — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 17 July 2026 Both the duvet cover and shams have a sateen finish, and an ultra-soft, lived-in feel. — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
For more of our favorite linen bedding, check out sheet sets, duvet covers, quilts, throw blankets, pillowcases, and shams below. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026 When paired with a chunky throw and, perhaps a plaid throw, the duvet cover and shams practically give off visual warmth. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2026 Her book of creative nonfiction titled Zaman saghir taht shams thaniya (A Small Time Under a Different Sun) was published by Dar al-Nahda, Beirut in 2019. — Huda Fakhreddine august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shams
  1. parodies
  2. counterfeits
  3. frauds
  4. pretends
  5. caricatures
  6. hoaxes
  7. fakes
  8. simulates
Noun
  • The internet quickly responded to the viral moment with reactions and parodies.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Even the playful quad-exit exhaust parodies the diamond structural detailing of the supersonic aircraft.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of parodies
Noun
  • The European Commission previously said AliExpress breached its obligations under the DSA, which required it to diligently assess and mitigate the risks of counterfeits.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 22 July 2026
  • Masherah also emphasized keeping Jordan with Upper Deck provides collectors a safe place to acquire authenticated Jordan autographed memorabilia when there are so many fakes and counterfeits floating around.
    — Larry Holder, New York Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of counterfeits
Noun
  • In 2018, Modi was accused by Indian authorities of orchestrating one of the country’s largest bank frauds in modern history.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison for orchestrating what prosecutors have called one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of frauds
Verb
  • At one point, though, Jon Hamm does the voice of the mayor but there’s a robot who pretends to be him and is essentially wearing a mayor-skin suit.
    — Marah Eakin, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026
  • And Brand New Day pretends to tell that story, for about 20 minutes.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Definition of pretends
Noun
  • Furious drops the ball a bit in the interactions with Emma and Jay Easton, turning them into one-dimensional caricatures instead of complex villains, but honestly, this show isn’t really about them.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • For Yard Act’s 2022 debut, The Overload, the quartet chiseled flamboyant caricatures of British life and portrayed their flawed country with an abrasive, punishing tone.
    — Victoria Borlando, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026
Definition of caricatures
Noun
  • 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
  • America’s penny press transformed journalism in the 1830s, using hoaxes, sensationalism, and mass circulation to create a blueprint for modern media.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of hoaxes
Noun
  • The Institute assists some 2,700 museums, libraries, and archival organizations, and, in this case, assisted the Ontario Provincial Police, exposing fakes and ultimately testifying for the prosecution in the trial of one of the fraudsters.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The second-round pass rusher made aggressive mistakes, falling twice for option fakes and overrunning a screen pass early.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of fakes
Verb
  • The upcoming 2027 model will also be the first to feature E-Shift, an optional system that simulates the gear shifts of a combustion engine.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The offense works on the underneath passing tree while the defense simulates coverage rules and passing off cross-under routes.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of simulates

Browse Nearby Words

shampoos
shams
shamus
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Cite this Entry

“Shams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shams. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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