simulacrum
Reality's shallow substitute
A simulacrum is an image or representation of something, often one that is superficial or fails to capture the essence of what it depicts.
The word carries connotations of imitation without substance—a copy that lacks the reality of its original.
In philosophy, simulacra are representations so detached from any original that they constitute their own hyperreality: The theme park was a simulacrum of a European village that never existed.
Plural: simulacra or simulacrums.
Faithful scaled reproduction
- duplicateExact replica of original
- reproductionCopying or procreation
- facsimileExact reproduction of original
- cloneGenetically identical organism
imitation · copy · replication · counterfeit · forgery · knockoff · recreation · reconstruction
Visual or mental likeness
- depictionRepresentation in art
- likenessVisual similarity or representation
- portraitArtistic depiction of someone
- effigySculpted human representation
icon · idol · figure · statue · rendering · portrayal · embodiment · avatar
Atmospheric optical deception
- phantasmIllusory supernatural appearance
- hallucinationPerception without external cause
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
- specterGhostly threatening presence
delusion · fantasy · chimera · figment · shadow · facade · veneer · pretense
Exaggeratedly lifelike, surpassing actuality
- BaudrillardPhilosopher of simulated reality
- hyperrealityRepresentations supplanting the genuine
- signMark conveying information
- signifierMeaning-bearing form
referent · Platonic · representation · mediation · virtuality · postmodern · precession · authenticity
Pictorial screen symbol
- totemSpiritual clan symbol
- emblemRepresentational sign or device
- tokenRepresentative placeholder
- fetishIrrational devotion to something
idol · talisman · sacred image · cult object · ritual object · reliquary
replica
Faithful scaled reproduction
- duplicateExact replica of original
- reproductionCopying or procreation
- facsimileExact reproduction of original
clone · imitation · copy · replication · counterfeit · forgery · knockoff · recreation · reconstruction · model
image
Visual or mental likeness
- depictionRepresentation in art
- likenessVisual similarity or representation
- portraitArtistic depiction of someone
effigy · icon · idol · figure · statue · rendering · portrayal · embodiment · avatar · model
mirage
Atmospheric optical deception
- phantasmIllusory supernatural appearance
- hallucinationPerception without external cause
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
specter · delusion · fantasy · chimera · figment · shadow · facade · veneer · pretense · sham
hyperreal
Exaggeratedly lifelike, surpassing actuality
- BaudrillardPhilosopher of simulated reality
- hyperrealityRepresentations supplanting the genuine
- signMark conveying information
signifier · referent · Platonic · representation · mediation · virtuality · postmodern · precession · authenticity · artificial
icon
Pictorial screen symbol
fetish · idol · talisman · sacred image · cult object · ritual object · reliquary
- fakesfake, fakes, counterfeit, counterfeits, imitation
- uncannyuncanny valley, doppelganger, mannequin, mannequins, wax figure
- critical theorydeconstruction, Marxism, feminism, postcolonialism, hegemony
- fictionfiction, novel, novels, novella, novellas
- Artificial Beingsandroid, androids, automaton, automata, humanoid robot
- copiescopy, photocopy, duplicate, carbon copy, xerox