placebo; pacifying measure without substance
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
placebo; medically inert preparation used for psychological comfort
technicalTechnical medical term referring to a substance with no therapeutic effect, used as a control in testing new drugs or to provide psychological comfort to patients. Often used in clinical trials to distinguish actual pharmacological effects from psychological effects.
This new drug's effect is barely better than a placebo.
In the double-blind experiment, one group took the real medicine while the other took a placebo.
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The placebo effect can sometimes produce real physiological changes.
noun
pacifying measure lacking substance; empty gesture providing psychological comfort
Metaphorical extension of the medical term. Often used critically to describe superficial solutions, empty promises, or symbolic actions that make people feel better without solving underlying problems. Common in political, social, and organizational contexts.
These promises are just placebos that cannot solve the actual problems.
The subsidies issued by the government are merely a placebo for struggling families.
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This reform measure is regarded as a placebo for the public.