misdiagnose

verb

mis·​di·​ag·​nose ˌmis-ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs How to pronounce misdiagnose (audio)
-ˌnōz
ˌdī-ig-ˈnōs
-ˈnōz
-əg-
misdiagnosed; misdiagnosing
Synonyms of misdiagnosenext

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
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However, when Sophie was 5, her condition was misdiagnosed as conjunctivitis. Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026 This distinction matters because executive dysfunction is often misdiagnosed. Britton Bloch, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 Being that rare means the condition can often be overlooked or misdiagnosed, which means many are only found at later stages. Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 10 June 2026 Yes, overmedication is a real crisis, and OCD is frequently misdiagnosed, but Amba’s song turns a struggling kid into some pure-hearted, misunderstood dreamer. Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for misdiagnose

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misdiagnose was in 1883

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Cite this Entry

“Misdiagnose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misdiagnose. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

Medical Definition

misdiagnose

transitive verb
mis·​di·​ag·​nose (ˈ)mis-ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs, -ˌnōz How to pronounce misdiagnose (audio)
misdiagnosed; misdiagnosing
: to diagnose incorrectly

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