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View definitions for sham

sham

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Example Sentences

The former state attorney general later acted as a defense lawyer for Trump during his first impeachment proceedings, claiming the 2019 probe was a "sham" and that he was unfairly investigated.

From Salon

"We've got dirty old rolling stock. It's a sham, it really is."

From BBC

She had no reason to suspect it was in fact all a sham, but as they returned from their "honeymoon" in March - just four months after McDonald had left prison - the net was closing in.

From BBC

The clip provoked outrage, but it was a sham — Harris never said that.

Vought said that independent agencies and unelected bureaucrats and experts wield far too much power while the traditional legislative process is a sham.

From Salon

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for sham?

The word sham commonly refers to something that’s not what it claims to be—some kind of fraud or fake. This sense of the word can even refer to a person, as in He’s a total fake, a sham—you should see what he’s really like. 

Sham is often used even more specifically to refer to something that’s considered a scam, con, or hoax, as in This whole thing is a sham—they’re just trying to get your money. 

Sometimes, sham refers to a situation that’s considered illegitimate for some reason, as in The trial was a sham—there wasn’t even a jury. Synonyms for this sense are farce and mockery.

Sham can also be used as an adjective for any of these senses, as in sham trial (an illegitimate one), sham marriage (one in which the couple aren’t in a real relationship), or sham version (a fake or knockoff version).

How do you use sham in a sentence?

We use sham in a number of different ways, but they all involve some kind of falseness or fakeness. It’s usually always used negatively.

Here are some examples of sham in a sentence:

  • The “charity” event was a sham—it was just an excuse for a tax write-off.
  • I knew something about him seemed fake, but I didn’t expect him to turn out to be a complete sham. 
  • The dictator is known for holding sham elections to give the appearance of legitimacy.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

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