Definition

The act of using false or misleading methods in medicine, often to deceive people for profit or personal gain.

Example

Many people fell victim to the quackery of unlicensed healers promising miraculous cures.

Conversation

Did you hear about that new health clinic in town?

Yeah, I've heard some people say it seems like quackery.

I was skeptical too, especially with their outrageous claims.

Exactly! It’s important to be careful and do some research before trusting them.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Quackery → It is formed from "quack" (from Dutch "quacksalver", meaning a person who boasts of their medical skills) and the suffix "-ery" (meaning a state or condition). The word "quackery" refers to the practice or promotion of fraudulent or unqualified medical treatments.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'quack' as someone who falsely boasts about their medical skills, and '-ery' indicates a state or condition, so quackery means the state of practicing false medicine.

Visually Confused Words