overdiagnosis

noun

over·​di·​ag·​no·​sis ˌō-vər-ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs 

-əg-

: the diagnosis of a condition or disease more often than it is actually present

overdiagnose

ˌō-vər-ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs 

-ˌnōz, 

-ˌdī-ig-ˈnōs, 

-ˈnōz, 

-əg-

transitive verb

Examples of overdiagnosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The guidance states that potential harms in this age group, including false positives, psychological distress, overdiagnosis, overtreatment and radiation exposure, may outweigh the uncertain benefits of screening. —Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026

What causes overdiagnosis is the polycystic presentation of the ovary, which is very common. —Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026

Interested consumers now have a range of options, though all are costly, not covered by insurance and carry risks like overdiagnosis or creating a false sense of security. —David Oliver, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026

Medicine has a long history of screening tests that detect disease without improving survival, sometimes causing harm through overdiagnosis and overtreatment. —Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overdiagnosis

• amyloidosis
• anaplasmosis
• anastomosis
• aponeurosis
• apotheosis
• aspergillosis
• blastomycosis
• coccidiosis
• cryptococcosis
• cysticercosis
• endocytosis
• exocytosis

Medical Definition

overdiagnosis

noun

over·​di·​ag·​no·​sis -ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs, -əg- 

plural overdiagnoses -ˌsēz 

: the diagnosis of a condition or disease (as Lyme disease) more often than it is actually present

overdiagnose

-ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs, -ˌnōz, -ˌdī-ig-ˈ, -əg- 

transitive verb

overdiagnosed; overdiagnosing