misdiagnose

American  

[mis-dahy-uhg-nohs, -nohz, mis-dahy-uhg-nohs, -nohz] / mɪsˈdaɪ əgˌnoʊs, -ˌnoʊz, ˌmɪs daɪ əgˈnoʊs, -ˈnoʊz /

verb (used without object)

misdiagnosed, misdiagnosing

1. to make an incorrect diagnosis.

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verb (used with object)

misdiagnosed, misdiagnosing

1. to diagnose erroneously.

   to misdiagnose the nation's ills.

misdiagnose British  

/ ˌmɪsˈdaɪəɡˌnəʊz /

verb

1. to diagnose (an illness or problem) wrongly or mistakenly

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Etymology

Origin of misdiagnose

First recorded in 1925–30; mis- ¹ + diagnose

Example Sentences

“We have to be careful not to misdiagnose economic weakness,” Macklem said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

There are situations in which doctors can misdiagnose people with TB.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2024

"It is exceptionally dangerous to ignore your symptoms and to misdiagnose yourself because you could be missing out on appropriate help."

From BBC • May 3, 2023

This difference may help explain why clinicians sometimes misdiagnose women who have bipolar disorder with depression.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 16, 2022

Without proper context, the data could potentially be used to misdiagnose illnesses and turn people into hypochondriacs.

From New York Times • Jan. 5, 2022