placebo effect

noun

: improvement in the condition of a patient that occurs in response to treatment but cannot be considered due to the specific treatment used

Examples of placebo effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Acadia’s schizophrenia drug fails in pivotal study Acadia Pharmaceuticals’ treatment for schizophrenia missed its primary goal in a pivotal study, the company said yesterday, pointing to an unexpectedly strong placebo effect. Damian Garde, STAT, 12 Mar. 2024 Many sleep experts argue that any benefits people may experience are probably from a placebo effect. Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Scientific American, 16 Feb. 2024 The researchers initially saw a profound placebo effect: Patients seemed to improve whether their implants had been activated or not. Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024 The placebo is real That doesn't mean that the placebo effect isn't happening here. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 26 Sep. 2023 After all, the placebo effect is largely mediated by the belief that some form of treatment is happening. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 26 Sep. 2023 Experts say there’s no evidence to support this, but the placebo effect is real. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 10 Jan. 2024 The continued improvement suggests that ibogaine’s effects are likely to be real rather than placebo-driven, Williams says, because the placebo effect tends to peak immediately after treatment and degrade over time. Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 5 Jan. 2024 What does this suggest about the value of both art and the placebo effect in supporting our human Frailties? Andrew Ridker, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'placebo effect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of placebo effect was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near placebo effect

Cite this Entry

“Placebo effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/placebo%20effect. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

placebo effect

noun
: improvement in the condition of a patient that occurs in response to treatment but cannot be considered due to the specific treatment used
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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