pinchbeck

/ˈpɪntʃˌbɛk/
noun
  1. An alloy of copper and zinc, resembling gold in appearance but less valuable, used in cheap jewelry and ornaments.
    • Antique dealers can easily tell the difference between gold and pinchbeck.
    • The necklace looked like gold but was actually made of pinchbeck.
    • She wore a pinchbeck brooch that had tarnished over time.
  2. Something that appears valuable or genuine but is actually cheap or fake; a counterfeit or imitation.
    • The art dealer was caught selling pinchbeck paintings as originals.
    • His promises turned out to be pinchbeck, empty and worthless.
    • Don't be fooled by pinchbeck charm; look for real substance.
adjective
  1. Made of or resembling pinchbeck; imitation gold.
    • She bought a pinchbeck ring at the flea market.
    • He wore a pinchbeck chain that left a green mark on his skin.
    • The pinchbeck watch looked shiny but stopped working after a week.
  2. Counterfeit, fake, or of poor quality; pretending to be valuable or genuine.
    • The politician's pinchbeck sincerity fooled no one.
    • His pinchbeck kindness was just a way to get what he wanted.
    • They sold pinchbeck luxury goods to unsuspecting tourists.
Antonyms
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