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

Lunny’s injuries, sustained in Australia and initially misdiagnosed, have left her unable to fly or perform for at least six weeks under doctor’s orders. —Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026

Her mother’s symptoms were first dismissed and misdiagnosed by doctors as mental health issues. —Rachel Hale, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026

Recluse spider lesions can be misdiagnosed due to their similarity to sores from bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus. —Matthew Cordes, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026

Vision problems can often mimic symptoms of ADHD, learning disabilities, or other conditions, making misdiagnoses a common occurrence. —Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 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