diagnostic 1 of 2

adjective

ˌdī-ig-ˈnä-stik How to pronounce diagnostic (audio)
variants also diagnostical
Definition of diagnosticnext
as in characteristic
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group studies that show that cultural diversity is a diagnostic feature of a thriving city

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

diagnostic

2 of 2

noun

as in feature
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind the thesis that moral decline is the infallible diagnostic of a decadent society

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of diagnostic
Adjective
If symptoms are present, the colonoscopy is classified as diagnostic rather than screening and is covered differently by insurance. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 Google never actually mentions the word diabetes in its description of the feature, aside from a disclaimer at the end stating that Insulin Resistance Trends is not meant as a diagnostic or prescreening tool for the condition. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
When a problem gets this big, such simple diagnostics can be invaluable for grounding solutions in reality. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 The trap here is treating summer maintenance as a checklist rather than a diagnostic. — Malana Vantyler, Ascend Agency, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diagnostic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diagnostic
  1. characteristic
  2. feature
  3. distinctive
  4. quality
  5. distinct
  6. trait
  7. typical
  8. attribute
Adjective
  • While cognitive decline is far more common among individuals over 65 years, some genetic mutations cause the same characteristic loss of memory and mental processing in children.
    — Mike McRae August 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But the link was far less clear between dementia and lower stages of CTE, or even those whose brains had been found to be free of the disease's characteristic buildups of tau protein.
    — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of characteristic
Noun
  • Japan has selected Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s luminously cerebral French-language feature All of a Sudden as its submission for the best international feature category at the 99th Academy Awards.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s latest feature, All Of A Sudden, has been selected as Japan’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of feature
Adjective
  • These colleagues have a distinctive feel for news in their hometown.
    — Scott Lebar, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Or even last summer when their response to the magic of Bilbao was to become Best Practice FC again, and hope that Thomas Frank could replicate the distinctive culture of Brentford in N17.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of distinctive
Noun
  • The Classic Kitchen Knife is an all-purpose chef's knife combining a high quality stainless steel blade with a roasted beechwood handle.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Alex works at her friend Sam’s literary agency, where there’s a constant struggle over artistic quality versus commerciality.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of quality
Adjective
  • Lee said her ultimate vision is to use BodyCodes to filter search results for the user, so she will only be served jeans from brands that fit her distinct shape.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Tel-Rea, the Jedi character, is almost entirely melee-focused, but comes with her own entirely distinct skills and combat abilities, essentially requiring you to build your party around her.
    — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of distinct
Noun
  • This moment highlighted his enduring intensity, a trait the Blue Jays value, especially as younger players navigate the pressures of a playoff race.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • These are potentially key traits for Emery this season, given the number of departures this summer, including Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne, Youri Tielemans and Ezri Konsa.
    — Aston Villa, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of trait
Adjective
  • Netflix has worked assiduously to burnish its reputation as a home for advertisers seeking to align themselves with its popular programs and eager to avoid the traditional model of deploying typical 30-second commercials.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • However, this gets an all-new rear suspension with leaf springs; that setup allows for a greater payload than a typical torsion beam axle.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of typical
Noun
  • This vector is defined by a list of coordinates, where each coordinate measures how much of a particular attribute that person has.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Speed, efficiency, and safety are among the most crucial attributes of canal transport.
    — Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of attribute

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diagnosis
diagnostic
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Cite this Entry

“Diagnostic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diagnostic. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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