The impression one gives is not genuine (9)

I believe the answer is:

imitation

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'the impression' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for imitation that I've seen before include "Simulated" , "Sincerest flattery maybe" , "A copy of an authentic item" , "Mock -- ersatz" , "Copy of an authentic article" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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