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
Examples of overdiagnosis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On the other end, the commission members noted individuals with BMIs that define them as obese may not have excess fat, leading to an overdiagnosis of obesity.
—
Joseph Choi, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
These estimates may include patients who don’t have Lyme disease, due to variations in clinical practice — for example, physicians treating presumptively, which can lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
—John Drake, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
In some cases, additional screenings can lead women to be diagnosed and treated for cancers that would never have bothered them, problems known as overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
—Liz Szabo, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2024
Hg – due to arm position – leading to overdiagnosis or overtreatment, in the form of a new prescription or dose modification.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overdiagnosis 
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Joseph Choi, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
These estimates may include patients who don’t have Lyme disease, due to variations in clinical practice — for example, physicians treating presumptively, which can lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
—John Drake, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
In some cases, additional screenings can lead women to be diagnosed and treated for cancers that would never have bothered them, problems known as overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
—Liz Szabo, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2024
Hg – due to arm position – leading to overdiagnosis or overtreatment, in the form of a new prescription or dose modification.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overdiagnosis
Dictionary Entries Near overdiagnosis
Cite this Entry
“Overdiagnosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdiagnosis. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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