The definition for placebo is "An inactive substance used in medical testing." Used in a sentence: Tom, who had taken the placebo, found that his allergy symptoms did not go away. The definition for brandish is "to shake or wave menacingly.", the definition for distortion is "The act of twisting out of shape.", and the definition for moderate is "Tending toward the average."

The definition for plaudits is "Enthusiastic approval." Used in a sentence: Allison's painting met with plaudits from the critics, who had dismissed her earlier work. The definition for pathos is "sympathetic pity.", the definition for inauspicious is "Not favorable.", and the definition for buffer is "Protective barrier."

The definition for garish is "Offensively bright." Used in a sentence: The garish wallpaper offended Jerome, who preferred subtle colors. The definition for intricate is "having complex and interrelated parts.", the definition for fickle is "Lacking constancy, changeable.", and the definition for extant is "Currently existing."

The definition for solace is "Source of consolation." Used in a sentence: Parents' weekend was a solace to Marjorie, whose beloved daughter had left for college. The definition for periodic is "occurring at regular intervals.", the definition for corrective is "Intended to correct.", and the definition for fickle is "Lacking constancy, changeable."

The definition for fraud is "Trick." Used in a sentence: The con man's fraud involved selling swampland to gullible investors. The definition for belated is "past the normal or proper time.", the definition for abate is "Become less in amount or intensity.", and the definition for distortion is "The act of twisting out of shape."