placebo

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A drug also needs to be proven to work better than a placebo.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

About two-thirds received enlicitide, while the rest were given a placebo.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

Huynh said he was surprised at how few placebo patients in Structure’s study gained weight, and suggested investors wait to see Structure’s Phase 3 results.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

On average, participants began taking vitamin D supplements or placebo about three days after receiving their positive COVID-19 test.

From Science Daily • Mar. 15, 2026

As it happens, Denis Papin, who had qualified as a doctor, was the first to describe the placebo and the placebo effect, in a letter to Leibniz, 11 or 12 August 1704.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton