What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
impostury
Example
The man was arrested for imposture after pretending to be a doctor. [imposture: noun]
Example
She was skilled in the art of imposture, able to fool even the most discerning of people. [imposture: noun]
sham
Example
The painting turned out to be a sham, a mere copy of the original. [sham: noun]
Example
He put on a sham display of confidence, hoping to hide his nervousness. [sham: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sham is more commonly used than imposture in everyday language. Sham is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts, while imposture is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between impostury and sham?
Imposture is a more formal word than sham, and is often used in legal or academic contexts. Sham, on the other hand, is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
