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 issue is, the researchers say, is that the study's experimental design was faulty – a control group involved no stimulation, preventing blinding and raising the chances of the placebo effect in those who did use the device.
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New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2026
The result could indicate a potential connection with the placebo effect, a phenomenon whereby a sham intervention shows positive results in people who expect the treatment to benefit them.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 19 Jan. 2026
The only thing a vasectomy can do is prevent pregnancy, but the placebo effect is real.
—Sarah Digregorio, Vanity Fair, 5 Jan. 2026
After a while, however, placebo effects tend to fade.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for placebo effect
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New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2026
The result could indicate a potential connection with the placebo effect, a phenomenon whereby a sham intervention shows positive results in people who expect the treatment to benefit them.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 19 Jan. 2026
The only thing a vasectomy can do is prevent pregnancy, but the placebo effect is real.
—Sarah Digregorio, Vanity Fair, 5 Jan. 2026
After a while, however, placebo effects tend to fade.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Dec. 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 6 Feb. 2026.
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