misdiagnose
verb
mis·di·ag·nose
ˌmis-ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs 
-ˌnōz,
ˌdī-ig-ˈnōs,
-ˈnōz,
-əg-
misdiagnosed; misdiagnosing
: to diagnose (someone or something) incorrectly
… babesiosis is often missed or misdiagnosed as malaria or flu.—
Linda Marsa
Linda MarsaThe researchers added that children with this disease are often misdiagnosed and thus inappropriately treated …—Jane E. Brody
Jane E. BrodyExamples of misdiagnose in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He was misdiagnosed six times before finally finding a specialist—one who charged $400 an hour, cash only, with a seven-month waitlist.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 7 June 2026
The actress started advocating for menopause and mid-life care in 2024 − after her doctor misdiagnosed her symptoms as herpes − and pushed for legislation to fund research and education in women’s health.
—Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 5 June 2026
Pavlich and her daughter Aidan are now using their experiences to join a network of WomenHeart champions, or patient advocates, to draw attention to often misunderstood or misdiagnosed heart disease risks for women.
—Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 27 May 2026
Even the movement’s focus on Big Tech, a source of genuine social harm, seems to misdiagnose the central issue.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for misdiagnose
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Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 7 June 2026
The actress started advocating for menopause and mid-life care in 2024 − after her doctor misdiagnosed her symptoms as herpes − and pushed for legislation to fund research and education in women’s health.
—Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 5 June 2026
Pavlich and her daughter Aidan are now using their experiences to join a network of WomenHeart champions, or patient advocates, to draw attention to often misunderstood or misdiagnosed heart disease risks for women.
—Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 27 May 2026
Even the movement’s focus on Big Tech, a source of genuine social harm, seems to misdiagnose the central issue.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for misdiagnose
Cite this Entry
“Misdiagnose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misdiagnose. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
misdiagnose
transitive verb
mis·di·ag·nose
(ˈ)mis-ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs, -ˌnōz
misdiagnosed; misdiagnosing
: to diagnose incorrectly
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