overdiagnosis

noun

over·​di·​ag·​no·​sis ˌō-vər-ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs 

-əg-

: the diagnosis of a condition or disease more often than it is actually present

overdiagnose

ˌō-vər-ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs 

-ˌnōz, 

-ˌdī-ig-ˈnōs, 

-ˈnōz, 

-əg-

transitive verb

Examples of overdiagnosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The study says that reliance on a positive blood test without careful consideration of clinical symptoms may lead to overdiagnosis of the condition, which is managed solely through food avoidance. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Better detection also produced overdiagnosis, overtreatment, patient anxiety, unnecessary procedures, and overloaded clinical systems. — Bob Zukis, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

But the study upends prior results that indicated the test did more harm than good, leading to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 18 May 2026

For women 40 to 49, the ACP says screening decisions should be made individually with a doctor, because harms like false positives, overdiagnosis and overtreatment may outweigh the uncertain benefits in that age group. — Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overdiagnosis

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

Medical Definition

overdiagnosis

noun

over·​di·​ag·​no·​sis -ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs, -əg- 

plural overdiagnoses -ˌsēz 

: the diagnosis of a condition or disease (as Lyme disease) more often than it is actually present

overdiagnose

-ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs, -ˌnōz, -ˌdī-ig-ˈ, -əg- 

transitive verb

overdiagnosed; overdiagnosing