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Carmen Zhang
What's the difference between "spurious" and "sham"?
hi, I think these two are synonyms but I'm not sure if they can be used in the same context, or to depict the same kinds of things?
Sep 16, 2015 6:29 PM
Answers · 11
3
They are not quite synonyms.
"spurious" is an adjective which relates to theories and arguments, and means unconvincing, weak, untrustworthy
e.g. His argument that the sun goes round the earth was spurious.
"sham" is a noun and an adjective which means counterfeit, fake and normally applies to events or situations which have been planned in order to deceive
e.g. sham marriages
September 16, 2015
1
"Sham" implies deception. It implies a false front or a pretense. "I thought he was on my side, but it was all a sham. He was just pretending to be on my side. He was really working for my enemies."
"Spurious" means invalid or misleading. "The car alarm was set off by a spurious signal from nearby lightning bold."
September 16, 2015
The meaning is very similar, but "sham" is a noun, while "spurious" is an adjective, so they cannot be used interchangeably.
September 16, 2015
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Carmen Zhang
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English, Japanese
Learning Language
English
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