pseudoscience

[ soo-doh-sahy-uhns ]

/ ˌsu doʊˈsaɪ əns /

Save This Word!

noun

any of various methods, theories, or systems, as astrology, psychokinesis, or clairvoyance, considered as having no scientific basis.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of pseudoscience

First recorded in 1835–45; pseudo- + science

OTHER WORDS FROM pseudoscience

pseu·do·sci·en·tif·ic

[soo-doh-sahy-uhn-tif-ik], /ˌsu doʊˌsaɪ ənˈtɪf ɪk/, adjectivepseu·do·sci·en·tif·i·cal·ly, adverbpseu·do·sci·en·tist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pseudoscience in a sentence

But when medical doctors “prescribe” pseudoscientific remedies, it becomes dangerous.
Warning: “Natural Medicine” Is Often Code for “Pseudoscience”|Russell Saunders|April 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At times, the Whole Foods selection slips from the pseudoscientific into the quasi-religious.
Whole Foods: America’s Temple of Pseudoscience|Michael Schulson|February 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Franks was not relying on pseudoscientific nuttery about the lady-parts shutting down pregnancy in the case of rape.
Rep. Trent Franks: Just Another Idiot When It Comes to Abortion|Michelle Cottle|June 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The pseudoscientific synonym pheno-methylene-formate carries the idea that Pyo-Atoxin is a definite chemical substance.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2|Various

Today, despite its reforms, it is supported by an ingenious system of pseudoscientific charlatanry.
The Great American Fraud|Samuel Hopkins Adams
Crowd-propaganda is often full of pseudoscientific jargon of this sort.
The Behavior of Crowds|Everett Dean Martin
An increasing number of esoteric, exotic, scientific, or pseudoscientific sects today bear witness to the same.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin
I replied that these pseudoscientific “facts” had long been commonplaces.
Shakespeare, Bacon and the Great Unknown|Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for pseudoscience

pseudoscience

/ (ˌsjuːdəʊˈsaɪəns) /

noun

a discipline or approach that pretends to be or has a close resemblance to science

Derived forms of pseudoscience

pseudoscientific, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for pseudoscience

pseudoscience

[ (sooh-doh-seye-uhns) ]

A system of theories or assertions about the natural world that claim or appear to be scientific but that, in fact, are not. For example, astronomy is a science, but astrology is generally viewed as a pseudoscience.

pseudoscience

Origin of pseudoscience

OTHER WORDS FROM pseudoscience

Words related to pseudoscience

How to use pseudoscience in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pseudoscience

Derived forms of pseudoscience

Cultural definitions for pseudoscience