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

She’s not just intrigued by the complex interplay of the immune system and hormones that drive endometriosis but is one of the millions of American women who have it, suffering years of misdiagnosis, blackout levels of pain and infertility. —Carolyn Y. Johnson, Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2026

Adults may arrive after years of masking, misdiagnosis, or quiet struggle. —Malana Vantyler, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026

Rare diseases are by nature less familiar to health care providers, which means patients often endure long periods of misdiagnosis, imprecise treatments, and extensive testing. —Alexandra Sifferlin, STAT, 31 Mar. 2026

But this is a spectacular misdiagnosis. —Leslie John, Time, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misdiagnosis

• acanthosis
• acidosis
• alkalosis
• amaurosis
• ankylosis
• asbestosis
• brucellosis
• cyanosis
• dermatosis
• diagnosis
• ecchymosis
• exostosis

Medical Definition

misdiagnosis

noun

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

plural misdiagnoses -ˌsēz 

: an incorrect diagnosis