SHAMS Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

shams 1 of 2

noun

plural of sham

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

as in counterfeits

an imitation that is passed off as genuine the diamond turned out to be a sham

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originals

as in frauds

one who makes false claims of identity or expertise that supposed French movie star was a sham

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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

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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

These sheets and shams are made from Oexo-Tex Certified Organic microfiber material that’s light but surprisingly resilient. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2026 Plus, the set comes with two shams to complete your sanctuary. — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2026 Its matching shams have overlapping edges that effortlessly slip over pillows and hold onto them tightly. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 24 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 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

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

Noun

The five stars teased the project with parodies of their characters in a promo video.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
The name of the collection parodies the seriousness of the museum, even as the collection itself is the kind of thing that has traditionally gotten scant attention within actual institutions.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 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

Only once the Buffs emptied offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s playbook, there was nothing left to fire at McGuire’s frauds.

— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026
In my phishing protection test, Avira successfully detected and defeated 100% of real-world phishing frauds.

— Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of frauds

Verb

Directed by Kim Han-gyul, the film is an adaptation of 2012 Swedish film Cockpit about a pilot who pretends to be his own younger sister after being fired from his job.

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
Everyone pretends the films were chosen purely on merit, but the slate often reads Hollywood with a lanyard and a conscience.

— Joseph Kahn, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of pretends

Noun

But Iñárritu’s caricatures become people in a way Kubrick’s don’t; as the bewildered President, for example, John Goodman is simultaneously grounded and theatrical in his presentation, recalling his best work with the Coen brothers.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026
Instead of digging into the details of personality and circumstance — this school has a specific class for Shakespeare and also English teachers who are literature-hating caricatures?

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of caricatures

Verb

In turn, Philippine authorities temporarily banned GoreBox, a sandbox-style action game that simulates violence and destruction using weapons.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
The technology, which is integrated into a miniature laboratory called CubeLab, was developed by Space Tango and simulates the natural environment in the human body.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of simulates

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shampoos

shams

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“Shams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shams. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shams

noun

verb

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