Synonyms for
Placebo
Definition
Placebo refers to a medication or procedure that has no therapeutic effect but is given to the patient to please them or to satisfy their expectations.
Synonyms & similar words
Synonyms by register
Antonyms
Common collocations
- receive a placebo
- administer a placebo
- placebo effect
- give a placebo
- placebo group
- control group placebo
- placebo response
Word family
Usage note
A placebo is an inactive substance or treatment given to a patient, often in clinical trials, to compare its effects with an active treatment. The 'placebo effect' refers to a beneficial effect produced by a placebo drug or treatment, which cannot be attributed to the properties of the placebo itself, and must therefore be due to the patient's belief in that treatment.
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Example sentences
- The doctor gave me a placebo to make me feel better.
- The placebo had no effect on my headache.
- I felt better after taking the placebo because I thought it was real medicine.
- The placebo group in the study received a fake treatment.
- The placebo effect is a real phenomenon where a person's belief in a treatment can improve their condition.
Quotes
"The placebo effect is the most powerful pharmacy in the world." - Fabrizio Benedetti
"The placebo is a powerful substance. It probably works about a third of the time." - Robert Sapolsky
"The placebo effect is real, it works." - Joe Dispenza