sham
noun
something that is not what it purports to be; a spurious imitation; fraud or hoax.
had been shamming
-
past perfect progressiveof sham.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The man addressed, a sturdy muscular fellow who had been shamming death, raised his head and asked to be reassured on the word of Ugwala that his life should be spared.
From The White Hand and the Black A Story of the Natal Rising by Bertram Mitford
Perhaps he had been shamming just to scare them.
From The Bishop's Shadow by I. T. (Ida Treadwell) Thurston
He had no suspicion that she had been shamming, for he had been too much annoyed by the whole incident to be critical of her demeanor.
From The Heart of Thunder Mountain by Anton Otto Fischer
The cunning warrior, however, had been shamming, and as soon as Peleg released his hold he quickly regained his foothold and in turn forced Peleg under the water.
From Scouting with Daniel Boone by Everett T. Tomlinson
It looks as if I had been shamming after all.
From The Divine Fire by May Sinclair
