“Sham” is a simple word that means something fake or false. When you say something is a sham, you mean it is pretending to be real but is actually a lie or a trick.
People use “sham” in everyday talk when they feel cheated or fooled. A friend might call a sale “a total sham” if the prices never really dropped. Someone might say a marriage is “a sham” if the couple is only pretending to be in love for legal reasons. It’s a quick way to say “this is not what it claims to be.”
Meaning & Usage Examples
- The “charity” turned out to be a sham; no money ever reached the poor.
- He put on a sham smile, but everyone knew he was angry.
- They said the product was eco-friendly, yet tests showed it was a sham.
Context / Common Use
You’ll hear “sham” in news headlines (“Election Sham”) and in casual chat (“That online course was a sham”). It fits any situation where trust is broken and the truth is hidden.
FAQ
Is “sham” a formal word?
No, it’s casual. You can use it in conversation, blogs, or news, but not in legal papers.
Can “sham” be a verb?
Yes. “He shammed illness to skip work” means he faked being sick.
What’s a quick synonym?
“Fake” or “fraud” works in most cases.
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