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

The initial symptoms can be vague and, given its rarity, the infection is notorious for being undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026

Making suffering the defining criterion of consciousness misdiagnoses our failure and gives us an excuse not to recognize consciousness if treating another mind as a tool or resource is more convenient. — Andréa Morris, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Riddle says misdiagnosing and mistreating postpartum psychosis can have adverse effects on patients. — Louisa Moller, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Matsumura said women over 50 are especially likely to have their symptoms dismissed or misdiagnosed. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misdiagnose

• agarose
• aliquots
• amigos
• anthracnose
• bottlenose
• buffaloes
• bungalows
• calicoes
• cameos
• commandos
• conversos
• decompose

Medical Definition

misdiagnose

transitive verb

mis·​di·​ag·​nose (ˈ)mis-ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs, -ˌnōz 

misdiagnosed; misdiagnosing

: to diagnose incorrectly