subclinical
adjective
sub·clin·i·cal
ˌsəb-ˈkli-ni-kəl 
: not detectable or producing effects that are not detectable by the usual clinical tests
a subclinical infection
subclinical cancer
Examples of subclinical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If the goal is to raise awareness, the best course of action is probably to let the subclinical cases be counted.
—
Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Today, clinicians have access to better tools to identify subclinical disease, including certain blood biomarkers found in lab tests and additional diagnostic imaging, such as coronary artery calcium scoring, that can detect subtle heart disease and inflammation long before symptoms appear.
—Jia Shen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
At subclinical levels, narcissism often masquerades as leadership potential.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
These risk factors include joint pain and subclinical joint inflammation, which is when an imaging study, like magnetic resonance imaging, sees joint inflammation that can’t be seen by a clinician examining the joints.
—Kevin Deane, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subclinical
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Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Today, clinicians have access to better tools to identify subclinical disease, including certain blood biomarkers found in lab tests and additional diagnostic imaging, such as coronary artery calcium scoring, that can detect subtle heart disease and inflammation long before symptoms appear.
—Jia Shen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
At subclinical levels, narcissism often masquerades as leadership potential.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
These risk factors include joint pain and subclinical joint inflammation, which is when an imaging study, like magnetic resonance imaging, sees joint inflammation that can’t be seen by a clinician examining the joints.
—Kevin Deane, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subclinical
Cite this Entry
“Subclinical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subclinical. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
subclinical
adjective
sub·clin·i·cal
-ˈklin-i-kəl
: not detectable or producing effects that are not detectable by the usual clinical tests
a subclinical infection
subclinical cancer
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