misdiagnose

verb

mis·​di·​ag·​nose ˌmis-ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs How to pronounce misdiagnose (audio)
-ˌnōz, 
ˌdī-ig-ˈnōs, 
-ˈnōz, 
-əg-
misdiagnosed; misdiagnosing
Synonyms of misdiagnosenext

transitive verb

: to diagnose (someone or something) incorrectly
… babesiosis is often missed or misdiagnosed as malaria or flu.—Linda Marsa
The researchers added that children with this disease are often misdiagnosed and thus inappropriately treated …—Jane E. Brody

Examples of misdiagnose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Actress Christina Applegate says doctors misdiagnosed her years ago. — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Despite learning she had been misdiagnosed, Applegate said that her symptoms remain and her illness has now become a mystery. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026 Emmy-winning actor Christina Applegate reveals she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis, years after her initial diagnosis. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 Actress Christina Applegate says she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurological and autoimmune disorder. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misdiagnose

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misdiagnose was in 1883

Rhymes for misdiagnose

See All Rhymes for misdiagnose

Browse Nearby Words

misdevelopment
misdiagnose
misdiagnosis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misdiagnose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misdiagnose. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

misdiagnose

transitive verb
mis·​di·​ag·​nose (ˈ)mis-ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs, -ˌnōz How to pronounce misdiagnose (audio)
misdiagnosed; misdiagnosing
: to diagnose incorrectly

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