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.

He also appreciated the role of psychology, placebos and positive thinking.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

These sessions used an "open-label placebo" approach, meaning participants were aware that some practices were presented as placebos.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

When he dug into other papers, he concluded that placebos were, on average, effective about 35 percent of the time.

From Slate • Jan. 30, 2026

While studies showed that Sarepta’s Amondys 45 and Vyondys 53 treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy worked better than placebos, the company said the results did not reach statistical significance.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 3, 2025

If placebo effects were this good, they should just make placebos the way to treat depression—maybe that’s what they did; maybe Zoloft was cornstarch.

From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini