What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sciolism
Example
His sciolism was exposed when he couldn't answer basic questions about the subject. [sciolism: noun]
Example
She tried to impress her colleagues with her sciolistic comments, but they saw through her act. [sciolistic: adjective]
sham
Example
The company was fined for selling shams as genuine products. [sham: noun]
Example
He put on a sham performance to impress his boss, but it didn't fool anyone. [sham: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sham is more commonly used than sciolism in everyday language. Sham is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sciolism is less common and more formal, typically used in academic or intellectual settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sciolism and sham?
Sciolism is more formal than sham, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Sciolism is typically associated with a more intellectual or academic tone, while sham can be used in a variety of tones depending on the context.
