What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sham
Example
The company's claims of using eco-friendly materials were a sham. [sham: noun]
Example
He put on a sham smile to hide his disappointment. [sham: adjective]
hoax
Example
The news of the alien invasion turned out to be a hoax. [hoax: noun]
Example
She hoaxed her friend by pretending to be someone else online. [hoaxed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hoax is more commonly used than sham in everyday language, especially in the media and news reporting.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sham and hoax?
Both sham and hoax are informal words, but hoax may be considered more informal due to its association with practical jokes and pranks.
