snake oil

noun

1
: any of various substances or mixtures sold (as by a traveling medicine show) as medicine usually without regard to their medical worth or properties
2

Examples of snake oil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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 Scams evolved from the snake oil salesman at the door to mail to email. Vijay Pande, Fortune, 13 June 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of snake oil was in 1917

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 28 Mar. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!