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
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and experts say now is the time to raise public attention for a disease that is difficult to detect, underrepresented in research and often either misdiagnosed or found late.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Although it’s still considered rare, it’s often misdiagnosed as shyness — which can delay treatment.
—Erin Silvia, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
The oncologist noted that most women with ovarian cancer get diagnosed too late because their abdominal symptoms often get misdiagnosed as reflux, indigestion or a urinary tract infection.
—Karu F Daniels, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
With no definitive tests, many patients have gone undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years.
—New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misdiagnose
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Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Although it’s still considered rare, it’s often misdiagnosed as shyness — which can delay treatment.
—Erin Silvia, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
The oncologist noted that most women with ovarian cancer get diagnosed too late because their abdominal symptoms often get misdiagnosed as reflux, indigestion or a urinary tract infection.
—Karu F Daniels, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
With no definitive tests, many patients have gone undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years.
—New Atlas, 7 Oct. 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 3 Nov. 2025.
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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