sham
nounUK /ʃæm/
US /ʃæm/
Something that is fake and not real.
The doctor was a sham and had never been to medical school.
SYNONYMS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A person who pretends to be something they are not.
Everyone discovered he was a sham who had lied about his wealth.
3. Not genuine; intended to deceive people.
They held a sham trial that was never meant to be fair.
4. To pretend to have a feeling or illness.
She shammed a headache to avoid going to school.