ersatz

adjective

ˈer-ˌsäts How to pronounce ersatz (audio)
Definition of ersatznext
as in faux
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials like everything else the restaurant served, the whipped cream on the dessert was ersatz

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ersatz Across the street from the former Goldwyn Studio, this boxy red bar with an ersatz Chinese interior has been a favorite drinking spot for decades. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026 In He Bled Neon, the ersatz A24-ish motions are gone through and that’s about it, a limp endeavor to do something with a soggy, banal script. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026 Strung-up nets drip with ersatz fish and nautical paraphernalia, and the sunny interior with colorful highlights echoes coastal Mediterranean architecture. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 2 June 2026 Many commencement speakers are given honorary degrees, but the prestige associated with such matters has declined over the years; six-figure piles of cash surely seem more useful than an ersatz doctorate given to an accomplished alumnus or once-local homegirl. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ersatz
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ersatz
  1. faux
  2. synthetic
  3. fake
  4. artificial
  5. simulated
Adjective
  • Inside, a memory foam insole with arch support cushions every step, and the soft faux leather molds to your ideal fit over time.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • The white interior and faux leather are also available in Overland and reviewed Limited trims.
    — James Raia, Mercury News, 28 June 2026
Definition of faux
Adjective
  • Tight or synthetic clothing can increase bacterial growth on the skin, including in areas that promote UTIs, due to additional sweating.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Their work ultimately led to the creation of the first synthetic hydrogel made from poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), or pHEMA.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
Definition of synthetic
Adjective
  • First was a Drug Enforcement Administration badge and ID with Horsch’s photo on it, but the ID was fake, and Horsch has never worked for the DEA, according to court documents.
    — Danny Freeman, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • This game preserves the difficulty of coming up with an elaborate, consistent false narrative on the spot, and the challenge of adapting that narrative on the fly when other players present convincing (and sometimes fake) counter-evidence.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 30 June 2026
Definition of fake
Adjective
  • The West should also stop drawing artificial distinctions that favor Russian escalation management over Ukrainian survival.
    — David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Instead of using artificial colors, look for ingredients that naturally fit the bill.
    — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of artificial
Adjective
  • Together, those technologies allow the robot to learn human movements through thousands of simulated training sessions before executing them in dynamic real-world environments.
    — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • The habitat is complete with private crew quarters, a crop cultivation area, an airlock and a sandbox for simulated Mars walks.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of simulated

Browse Nearby Words

errs
ersatz
erstwhile
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Cite this Entry

“Ersatz.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ersatz. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ersatz

Nglish: Translation of ersatz for Spanish Speakers

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