misdiagnosis

American

[mis-dahy-uhg-noh-sis] / ˌmɪs daɪ əgˈnoʊ sɪs /

noun

plural

misdiagnoses

an incorrect diagnosis.

misdiagnosis British

/ ˌmɪsdaɪəɡˈnəʊsɪs /

noun

the act or an instance of misdiagnosing or being misdiagnosed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of misdiagnosis

First recorded in 1945–50; mis- ¹ + diagnosis

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This helps reduce the risk of misdiagnosis and unnecessary concern for patients.

From Science Daily • Mar. 23, 2026

Recent cases of alleged misdiagnosis illustrate this point.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 30, 2025

Many people who get their uteruses out are thrilled about it, in part because it can finally give them, after years of misdiagnosis and pushback, a sense of control.

From Slate • Jul. 15, 2025

When I was flattened by postpartum depression and had a terrifying health misdiagnosis, Mark was there with me; his aligned presence was like a pillar holding me upright.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2025

A misdiagnosis of this type was not uncommon at the time.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023