sham meaning and definition

SHAM noun

Definition of sham (noun)

1. something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
   • synonyms: fake, postiche
2. a person who makes deceitful pretenses
   • synonyms: fake, faker, fraud, imposter, impostor, pretender, pseud, pseudo, role player, shammer

SHAM verb

Definition of sham (verb)

1. make a pretence of
   • "She assumed indifference, even though she was seething with anger"; "he feigned sleep"
   • synonyms: assume, feign, simulate
2. make believe with the intent to deceive
   • "He feigned that he was ill"; "He shammed a headache"
   • synonyms: affect, dissemble, feign, pretend

SHAM adjective

Definition of sham (adjective)

1. adopted in order to deceive
   • "an assumed name"; "an assumed cheerfulness"; "a fictitious address"; "fictive sympathy"; "a pretended interest"; "a put-on childish voice"; "sham modesty"
   • synonyms: assumed, false, fictitious, fictive, pretended, put on