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
The placebo effect might explain this finding, Martin says.
—
Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 19 Nov. 2025
Moreover, the expectation of feeling better and the touch that’s inherent in massage might contribute to people’s perception of pain relief post-massage—hinting at massage’s potential placebo effect.
—Ava Erickson, Outside, 7 Nov. 2025
The researchers used a waitlist rather than an active control group, so results could partly reflect expectancy or placebo effects.
—New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2025
Removing implants can bring relief to patients who are suffering, whether or not a placebo effect could be at play, as Youn noted.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for placebo effect
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Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 19 Nov. 2025
Moreover, the expectation of feeling better and the touch that’s inherent in massage might contribute to people’s perception of pain relief post-massage—hinting at massage’s potential placebo effect.
—Ava Erickson, Outside, 7 Nov. 2025
The researchers used a waitlist rather than an active control group, so results could partly reflect expectancy or placebo effects.
—New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2025
Removing implants can bring relief to patients who are suffering, whether or not a placebo effect could be at play, as Youn noted.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for placebo effect
Cite this Entry
“Placebo effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/placebo%20effect. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
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