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.
That Wilhelmina had been shamming was incredible, that her ailments were not imaginary was proven by the fact of her recovery being but partial.
From The Faith Doctor A Story of New York by Edward Eggleston
He was quite right; Walker had been shamming sleep, and full four hours ago he had told his confederates as a matter of course all that he had heard in the enemy's camp.
From It Is Never Too Late to Mend by Charles Reade
Thus had Aunt Margaret proved to her lady that the man had been shamming, and her lady had been very angry— near had a fit herself!
From The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes
It looks as if I had been shamming after all.
From The Divine Fire by May Sinclair
You see, the rascal had been shamming, after all, sir, and, wearied out with feigning death, had actually gone to sleep.
From Tales of the Wonder Club, Volume II by Alexander Huth
