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.
Suzanne Clothier et al.The court also stated that experts can be sued for negligence resulting from their misdiagnoses.—Mark Hansen
Mark HansenExamples of misdiagnosis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One prominent misdiagnosis occurred in 2004, when Dr. Claudia Lacson — pregnant with her first child — fell into a coma in Georgia after complaining of severe headaches and a persistent fever.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024
This disparity can lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment by white doctors who may not know or understand how skin conditions manifest in darker skin.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 13 Mar. 2024
This disparity can lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment from white doctors who may not know or understand how skin ailments manifest in darker skin.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2024
Further Reading Florida malaria outbreak still going, with local cases now at 7
The misdiagnosis led the patient to a weeks-long treatment for the wrong infection and held up public health responses to pinpoint and thwart further transmission.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 13 Oct. 2023
Halle Berry said a herpes misdiagnosis about three years ago prompted her to use her platform to help other women transitioning through menopause.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Being unable to communicate their signs and symptoms of wellness or illness can lead to misdiagnosis.
—Jennifer "jay" Palumbo, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
Medical mistakes are more likely in women and minorities
As a Black woman, Charity Watkins is among two of the groups most likely to experience a medical misdiagnosis.
—Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 15 Jan. 2024
The study found that rates of misdiagnosis range from 1.5% of heart attacks to 17.5% of strokes and 22.5% of lung cancers.
—Liz Szabo | Kff Health News, NBC News, 15 Jan. 2024
Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024
This disparity can lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment by white doctors who may not know or understand how skin conditions manifest in darker skin.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 13 Mar. 2024
This disparity can lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment from white doctors who may not know or understand how skin ailments manifest in darker skin.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2024
Further Reading Florida malaria outbreak still going, with local cases now at 7
The misdiagnosis led the patient to a weeks-long treatment for the wrong infection and held up public health responses to pinpoint and thwart further transmission.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 13 Oct. 2023
Halle Berry said a herpes misdiagnosis about three years ago prompted her to use her platform to help other women transitioning through menopause.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Being unable to communicate their signs and symptoms of wellness or illness can lead to misdiagnosis.
—Jennifer "jay" Palumbo, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
Medical mistakes are more likely in women and minorities
As a Black woman, Charity Watkins is among two of the groups most likely to experience a medical misdiagnosis.
—Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 15 Jan. 2024
The study found that rates of misdiagnosis range from 1.5% of heart attacks to 17.5% of strokes and 22.5% of lung cancers.
—Liz Szabo | Kff Health News, NBC News, 15 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'misdiagnosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near misdiagnosis
Cite this Entry
“Misdiagnosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misdiagnosis. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
misdiagnosis
noun
mis·di·ag·no·sis
(ˌ)mis-ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs
plural misdiagnoses
-ˌsēz
: an incorrect diagnosis
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