misdiagnosis

noun

mis·​di·​ag·​no·​sis ˌmis-ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs 

-əg-

plural misdiagnoses ˌmis-ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-ˌsēz 

-əg-

: an incorrect diagnosis

Misdiagnosis can easily occur unless the veterinarian is alert to the possibility of Lyme disease.

—Suzanne Clothier et al.

The court also stated that experts can be sued for negligence resulting from their misdiagnoses.

—Mark Hansen

Examples of misdiagnosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These are nonspecific symptoms that often lead to misdiagnosis with other illnesses such as influenza, malaria or typhoid fever. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025

Despite the misdiagnosis, she was advised to get a chemical peel. —Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 24 Sep. 2025

In the United States, approximately four hundred thousand people die every year as a result of misdiagnosis. —Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025

The National Alliance on Mental Health said barriers to services based on socioeconomic backgrounds, stigmas surrounding mental health and provider bias can cause inequalities in care and lead to misdiagnosis or people not receiving care at all. —Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misdiagnosis

• amyloidosis
• anaplasmosis
• anastomosis
• aponeurosis
• apotheosis
• aspergillosis
• blastomycosis
• coccidiosis
• cryptococcosis
• cysticercosis
• endocytosis
• exocytosis

Medical Definition

misdiagnosis

noun

mis·​di·​ag·​no·​sis (ˌ)mis-ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs 

plural misdiagnoses -ˌsēz 

: an incorrect diagnosis