ersatz
/ˈɛrˌsɑts/
adjective
- Made or used as a substitute, typically an inferior one, for something else; artificial or imitation.
- She wore an ersatz pearl necklace that looked real from a distance.
- The coffee was an ersatz blend made from roasted grains, not real beans.
- During the war, people had to eat ersatz bread made with potato flour.
noun
- An inferior substitute or imitation of something.
- Many artists consider digital filters an ersatz for true painting technique.
- The cheap chocolate was a poor ersatz for the premium brand she loved.
- The synthetic leather was a durable ersatz, but it never felt like the real thing.