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snake oil
noun
Examples of snake oil in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If the 5th Circuit’s decision is allowed to stand, the FDA’s role as bulwark against snake oil will be grievously undermined.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
One fueled by hype, speculation and a dash of digital snake oil.
—Larry Light, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024
Earthquake prediction is not possible, especially with the accuracy that these snake oil sellers claim.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 30 Aug. 2023
Just because shady websites exist to steal your money and give you nothing but snake oil doesn’t mean there aren’t legitimate sites out there, like the ones on our list.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 24 Sep. 2023
No medical board needed the FDA to tell it that doctors prescribing this modern snake oil deserved scrutiny.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2023
After Liu Kang reset the universe, Shang Tsung is no longer a powerful sorcerer, instead recast as a literal snake oil salesman down on his luck.
—Gene Park, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023
The co-chairs, the noxious former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.) and the conservative Democrat Erskine Bowles, traveled the country trying to sell their snake oil, with no success.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2023
Downey’s performance, equal parts subtly scented aftershave and snake oil, is a double-dealing marvel.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 19 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'snake oil.' 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
1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near snake oil
Cite this Entry
“Snake oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snake%20oil. Accessed 14 Jun. 2024.
Medical Definition
snake oil
noun
: any of various substances or mixtures sold (as by a traveling medicine show) as medicine usually without having had the claims of their medical worth or properties substantiated by scientific tests
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