sham

USAGE SUMMARY

'sham' is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English, which refers to something that is not genuine or is done for show.
Example sentence: I quickly discovered that his proposal to help was a sham, as he was only trying to make himself look good.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

It's a sham.

The Guardian - Music

The Ukrainian government and western powers have rejected the referendum as a sham.

The Guardian

But if Syriza is unable to succeed in rolling back some of the spending cuts imposed by the EU, it will not only make a sham of the recent democratic election held there... but it could also bring increased support for the Greek neo-Nazi party, Golden Dawn, which took third place in that election.

The Guardian - Opinion

The former Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid labelled Icac a "sham" and a "star chamber" after it handed down three reports recommending the director of public prosecutions consider pressing criminal charges against him.

The Guardian

Steve Swerdlow, a central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch, said Karimov's "sham re-election" would condemn Uzbekistan's citizens to life under virtual totalitarian rule unless the US and European Union began pressuring him to make reforms.

The Guardian

Inside is a leader heaping ordure over "Labour's sham manifesto" and a spread likening Miliband to Bart Simpson with the headline "Manifest-doh!".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The blogger wrote that he was initially drawn to the al-Qaida linked group Jabhat al-Nusra and another Islamist militia, Ahrar al-Sham.

The Guardian

The abbreviation stands for Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant ("al-Sham"), which is why some people call it Isil.

The Guardian

THE civil war in Syria, a nightmare for most Syrians, is a dream come true for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), the latter name being variously translated as "Greater Syria" or "the Levant".

The Economist

In March it led the attack on the north-eastern town of Raqqa, the largest one now under rebel control.In this section Let them remit A tale of two families The struggle to restore calm Competition among Islamists They're not ill ReprintsPolitically Ahrar al-Sham has been clever.

The Economist

It has recently clashed with other Syrian groups, something Ahrar al-Sham has so far avoided.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "sham", ensure that the context clearly indicates the intent to deceive or the lack of genuineness. Avoid using it in situations where something is merely imperfect or flawed, rather than intentionally misleading.

Common error

While "sham" is acceptable in news and media, avoid overusing it in very informal or casual conversations. There are often more direct and colloquial alternatives like "fake" or "phony" that may be more appropriate depending on the setting.

Linguistic Context

The word "sham" primarily functions as a noun, adjective, or verb. As a noun, it denotes something that is not genuine or is a fake. As an adjective, it describes something intended to deceive, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples. As a verb, it means to feign or pretend.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sham" is a versatile word with several grammatical roles and a strong connotation of deception. Ludwig AI confirms it can function as a noun, adjective, or verb to describe something fake or intended to mislead. Its usage is frequent across news, formal business contexts, and less common in social media, suggesting it fits a formal to neutral register. Given its varied applications, understanding the context is crucial to using "sham" effectively to criticize or express doubt about authenticity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fake

This alternative is a more direct and commonly used synonym, implying something is not genuine.

hoax

This alternative highlights the element of trickery and deception intended to fool people.

fraud

This alternative suggests a deliberate act of deceit, often for financial gain.

masquerade

This alternative implies a deceptive appearance or pretense, hiding the true nature of something.

travesty

This alternative emphasizes the distortion or corruption of something that should be respected.

mockery

This alternative suggests something is treated with ridicule or contempt, often in a way that exposes its falseness.

charade

This alternative indicates a pretense or deception carried out to create a certain impression.

pretense

This alternative focuses on the act of pretending or feigning something that is not true.

deception

This alternative highlights the act of misleading or deceiving someone.

imposture

This alternative refers to the act of pretending to be someone else in order to deceive.

FAQs

How can I use the word "sham" in a sentence?

You can use "sham" to describe something that is not genuine or is intended to deceive. For example, "The investigation was a complete "sham", designed to protect the company."

What are some alternatives to using the word "sham"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "fake", "hoax", "fraud", or "pretense". Each of these carries slightly different nuances.

Is it appropriate to use "sham" in formal writing?

Yes, "sham" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news reporting, academic papers, or business documents where you need to convey that something is not genuine and potentially deceptive.

What's the difference between "sham" and "parody"?

"Sham" refers to something fake or deceptive, while "parody" is an imitation done for comedic effect or to critique the original. A parody is not necessarily intended to deceive, whereas a sham always involves some element of deception or falseness.