misdiagnose

verb

mis·​di·​ag·​nose ˌmis-ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs 

-ˌnōz, 

ˌdī-ig-ˈnōs, 

-ˈnōz, 

-əg-

misdiagnosed; misdiagnosing

transitive verb

: to diagnose (someone or something) incorrectly

… babesiosis is often missed or misdiagnosed as malaria or flu.

—Linda Marsa

The researchers added that children with this disease are often misdiagnosed and thus inappropriately treated …

—Jane E. Brody

Examples of misdiagnose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Watchdog agency said facilities intentionally misdiagnose residents with dementia to hide inappropriate use of antipsychotic drugs. —Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2026

Patients say they’ve been denied disability benefits, dismissed or misdiagnosed by doctors, and left to navigate profound limits on work, housing and daily life with little support. —Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026

But because this disease is often misdiagnosed, the real numbers are likely higher. —Jose Abisambra, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026

At the time of those frightening ER visits, I was misdiagnosed with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. —Amy Sheehan, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misdiagnose

• arabinose
• arpeggios
• chlorpyrifos
• manifestoes
• manifestos
• pistachios
• politicos
• portfolios
• superimpose
• agarose
• aliquots
• amigos

Medical Definition

misdiagnose

transitive verb

mis·​di·​ag·​nose (ˈ)mis-ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs, -ˌnōz 

misdiagnosed; misdiagnosing

: to diagnose incorrectly