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

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

Kaminsky lost most of his hearing at age four after a misdiagnosis of mumps as a cold. —Ilya Kaminsky august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025

This pattern of quiet suffering, masked symptoms, and misdiagnosis extends far beyond the classroom. —Ginger Gentile, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Diagnosis is often delayed, averaging five to 12 years after the onset of symptoms due to stigma and misdiagnosis, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 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