placebo
/pləˈsiːboʊ/
noun
- A harmless substance or treatment given to a patient as if it were real medicine, often used in scientific studies to test the effectiveness of a drug.
- Many people feel better after taking a placebo simply because they believe it will work.
- In the trial, half the patients received the real drug and the other half received a placebo.
- The doctor prescribed a placebo to help calm the patient's anxiety without using strong medication.
- Something that is intended to please or reassure but has no real effect or value.
- The company's apology was just a placebo to stop customers from complaining.
- The new policy was a political placebo, making people feel heard without changing anything.
- His kind words were a placebo for her worries, offering comfort but no real solution.
Synonyms