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
It looks as if I had been shamming after all.
From The Divine Fire by May Sinclair
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
The consul was frank enough to tell me that I had been shamming Abraham; and I so far imitated his sincerity as distinctly to state, it was quite true.
From Ned Myers or, a Life Before the Mast by James Fenimore Cooper
Perhaps he had been shamming just to scare them.
From The Bishop's Shadow by I. T. (Ida Treadwell) Thurston
