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
The details surrounding Eisenhower’s immediate treatment remain a mystery, though Newton suggests that may have had more do with protecting his personal physician, who misdiagnosed the heart attack as a bout of indigestion, than a purposeful attempt to mislead the public.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, SPS impacts about one in a million people and is often misdiagnosed because of its overlap with other conditions.
—Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Additionally, conditions like vulvodynia, or certain dermatological conditions that affect the labia majora, are often misdiagnosed or poorly studied, Patel notes.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 6 May 2025
In 2024, she was honored by Autism Speaks for her advocacy work, using her platform to elevate awareness around autism, particularly for women who are often misdiagnosed or misunderstood.
—Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misdiagnose
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, SPS impacts about one in a million people and is often misdiagnosed because of its overlap with other conditions.
—Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Additionally, conditions like vulvodynia, or certain dermatological conditions that affect the labia majora, are often misdiagnosed or poorly studied, Patel notes.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 6 May 2025
In 2024, she was honored by Autism Speaks for her advocacy work, using her platform to elevate awareness around autism, particularly for women who are often misdiagnosed or misunderstood.
—Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misdiagnose
Cite this Entry
“Misdiagnose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misdiagnose. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
misdiagnose
transitive verb
mis·di·ag·nose
(ˈ)mis-ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs, -ˌnōz
misdiagnosed; misdiagnosing
: to diagnose incorrectly
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share