sham
/ʃæm/
Group 11Difficulty 2/3
Definitions
- (noun)
- A thing that is not what it is purported to be; a fraud GRE
- (adjective)
- Bogus; false GRE
Example in Context
The election was widely denounced as a sham, with independent observers documenting systematic voter intimidation.
Synonyms
fakefraudphony
Etymology
A thing that cheats you by not being what it seems.
- sham (Old English) — to cheat
Memory Aid
🎭Sounds like “sham”
A magician says 'TA-DA!' but it’s all a SHAM — the rabbit is just a stuffed toy!
Visual Association
🐇A magician pulling a plush rabbit out of a hat, with a confused audience looking on.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “sham” mean on the GRE?
sham (noun) means “A thing that is not what it is purported to be; a fraud”. The election was widely denounced as a sham, with independent observers documenting systematic voter intimidation.
How to remember “sham” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “sham” sounds like “sham”. A magician says 'TA-DA!' but it’s all a SHAM — the rabbit is just a stuffed toy!
What are synonyms for “sham”?
Common synonyms: fake, fraud, phony.