Ersatz
ˈɛrzæts
adjective
not real or genuine; inferior imitation or substitute
The word 'ersatz' comes from German, where it means 'replacement' or 'substitute.' It is often used to describe something that is not authentic or genuine, but rather a artificial or inferior imitation.
See how Stephen King, Kurt Vonnegut and 3 other authors use "ersatz", with its meaning, pronunciation and real book examples.
Examples from books
He's been through a lot.” “I'll bet he has,” Harold replied, and just for an instant Larry felt distrust, felt that Harold's quick sympathy for a boy he had never met was as ersatz as powdered eggs.
Stephen King
The Stand
Or, conversely, the android could be regarded as a highly developed, evolved version of the ersatz animal.
Philip K. Dick
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Indbur the Third was a peculiar combination of ersatz characteristics to all but himself.
Isaac Asimov
Foundation 2 - Foundation and Empire
The blind innkeeper said that the Americans could sleep in his stable that night, and he gave them soup and ersatz coffee and a little beer.
Kurt Vonnegut
Slaughterhouse Five
Even his reliable friends the Germans failed him in this crisis: they preferred ersatz.
Joseph Heller
Catch-22
