misdiagnose

[ mis-dahy-uhg-nohs, -nohz, mis-dahy-uhg-nohs, -nohz ]

verb (used without object)

, mis·di·ag·nosed, mis·di·ag·nos·ing.

1. to make an incorrect diagnosis.

verb (used with object)

, mis·di·ag·nosed, mis·di·ag·nos·ing.

1. to diagnose erroneously:

   to misdiagnose the nation's ills.

misdiagnose

/ ˌmɪsˈdaɪəɡˌnəʊz /

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of misdiagnose¹

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

Example Sentences

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

From Los Angeles Times

Those beliefs are known to have caused medical providers to rate Black patients’ pain lower, misdiagnose health concerns and recommend less relief.

From Washington Times

Those beliefs are known to have caused medical providers to rate Black patients’ pain lower, misdiagnose health concerns and recommend less relief.

From Seattle Times

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

From BBC

Doctors in emergency rooms misdiagnose conditions like stroke and sepsis in tens of thousands of patients each year, according to a new study.

From New York Times