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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
For one, the individuals in the study self-reported their stage of menopause, which the researchers didn’t confirm with hormone or other diagnostic tests. — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026 In point-of-care diagnostics, companies like UltraSight secured FDA approval for real-time AI guidance systems that help non-expert healthcare workers autonomously acquire diagnostic-quality cardiac ultrasound images. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
These include remote handling, cryogenics, heat transfer, power supplies, diagnostics, instrumentation, and planar-coil magnet engineering. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026 Provide prenatal diagnostics, TeleNICU access, neonatal education, standardized care pathways, bridge-to-home services, and rural newborn care coordination. — Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 27 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
  • Since industrial logging began more than a century ago, most of Vancouver Island’s productive old-growth forests — those capable of growing the large trees characteristic of the island’s rainforests — have been cut.
    — Annika Hammerschlag, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Different chemical elements absorb and emit different wavelengths of light, marking that spectrum with different characteristic fingerprints.
    — Rahul Rao, Space.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of characteristic
Noun
  • Duarte’s writing features detailed prose and a moving storyline, encompassing grief, healing, and the losses borne by a Latinx family in the name of American patriotism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Another endearing dining feature at the property is its honesty pantry containing drinks and snacks to go and a coffee station for early risers—guests can feel free to pad about any time of day or night.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of feature
Adjective
  • Fossum notes that veterinarians sometimes use odor as a diagnostic clue because certain skin conditions produce distinctive smells.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The cult fashion house has a devoted following among Gen Z and fans of alternative fashion and pop culture, including anime enthusiasts familiar with Westwood’s distinctive Orb logo.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of distinctive
Noun
  • Commercial proving ground with regulatory progress The material has precise chemical qualities that are critical for nuclear operations.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The Spritz, like most Aperol drinks, lean heavily into its summery qualities and try to hide the bitterness under the rug.
    — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of quality
Adjective
  • The Pigeon Sisters — Desi Amato as Gwendolyn and Penny Amara as Cecily — are played as distinct individuals rather than as near-twins as often happens.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Sometimes those differences, while distinct, still touch the same product in some way.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of distinct
Noun
  • Willis already has demonstrated the necessary leadership traits to be a franchise quarterback, something that often requires one to consistently fall on the sword — even if the very failure did not remotely involve you.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
  • However, because individual plants may not display every characteristic, identify it by several features rather than height or any single trait.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of trait
Adjective
  • Figures such as Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul el Sayed have given Republicans an opportunity to cast Democrats as socially out of touch and misaligned with the typical voter’s values.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026
  • These costs have grown 72% since 2015 and now account for 10 to 11% of a typical monthly bill.
    — Joe McGee, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of typical
Noun
  • Can a machine effortlessly extract your product’s key attributes, exact pricing, stock levels and shipping policies in less than a second?
    — Narendra Lakshmana Gowda, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Several young goalkeepers had been bought by Premier League clubs the previous summer, leaving Newcastle feeling there was a paucity of options, though Hornicek’s all-round attributes caught the attention of Ross Wilson, their sporting director.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of attribute

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Cite this Entry

“Diagnostic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diagnostic. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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