snake oil
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.
The flip side is that it’s hard to determine which products and services are likely to pay off medically versus the snake oil.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
The trade would feature prominently in American advertising for decades to come, as did pitches for often-dubious cures known as patent medicine—the proverbial snake oil.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
Some users say the device works, others suggest it’s snake oil.
From Salon • Sep. 30, 2024
On her website, she lists four red flags to watch for on snake oil products: claims with no supporting medical evidence, lack of peer review on scientific data, manipulation of emotions and celebrity endorsements.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 9, 2023
Two weeks after her burial, Rose’s husband arrived loaded with ingots of gold for the children, two-dollar pieces for the women and snake oil for the men.
From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison
