What is the meaning of a sham?

A sham is something that is false or fake, designed to deceive or mislead. It's a pretense or fraud, often used to appear legitimate while actually lacking substance.

Here are some ways to describe a sham:

* A fake: A sham necklace might look like real gold, but is actually made of cheap metal.

* A fraud: A sham charity might claim to help people in need, but actually uses donations for personal gain.

* A pretense: A sham wedding might be staged for publicity or financial reasons, but is not a genuine marriage.

* A hoax: A sham medical study might be fabricated to promote a product.

In essence, a sham is something that gives the appearance of being genuine or real but is actually a deception.