ersatz

[er-zahts, -sahts, er-zahts, -sahts] / ˈɛr zɑts, -sɑts, ɛrˈzɑts, -ˈsɑts /

ADJECTIVE

artificial

Synonyms

STRONG

counterfeit fake imitation phony sham substitute synthetic

WEAK

bogus copied false manufactured pretended simulated spurious

Antonyms

STRONG

genuine real true

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.

Besides, Mr. Powell has said he won’t compete with Mr. Warsh as an ersatz chairman.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

The short sequence, created by Seedance -- the AI generation model developed by TikTok's parent company, Bytedance -- shows an ersatz fight between Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

All of these ersatz businesses had accounts at Chase, Cathay or Singapore’s DBS Bank.

From Salon • Jun. 26, 2025

Nor is it an ersatz Irish pub with lots of dark wood, touches of green and a Guinness mirror.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2024

Or, conversely, the android could be regarded as a highly developed, evolved version of the ersatz animal.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

Vocabulary lists containing ersatz

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The Diary of a Young Girl

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