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
This can mimic having a viral infection which can sometimes be misdiagnosed.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The mom of two saw numerous doctors but said she was constantly dismissed and misdiagnosed for years, having her pain attributed to stress, depression and PTSD.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Just don’t allow politicians to misdiagnose the problem and sabotage the upward mobility that is still delivering real gains despite government barriers.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
Research suggests that autism is more than three times more common among boys than girls, but many experts believe it is frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed in girls.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misdiagnose
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Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The mom of two saw numerous doctors but said she was constantly dismissed and misdiagnosed for years, having her pain attributed to stress, depression and PTSD.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Just don’t allow politicians to misdiagnose the problem and sabotage the upward mobility that is still delivering real gains despite government barriers.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
Research suggests that autism is more than three times more common among boys than girls, but many experts believe it is frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed in girls.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 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 25 Jan. 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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