life-threatening
adjective
life-threat·en·ing
ˈlīf-ˌthre-tᵊn-iŋ 
-ˌthret-niŋ
: capable of causing death : potentially fatal
a life-threatening disease/condition
The injuries are serious but not life-threatening.
Examples of life-threatening in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He was taken to Regions Hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury.
—
Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 22 Dec. 2025
Two officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a hospital for evaluation.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
The situation poses the risk of serious or potentially life-threatening allergic reactions in people with almond allergies or sensitivities.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 22 Dec. 2025
She was taken to a hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025
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Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 22 Dec. 2025
Two officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a hospital for evaluation.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
The situation poses the risk of serious or potentially life-threatening allergic reactions in people with almond allergies or sensitivities.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 22 Dec. 2025
She was taken to a hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for life-threatening
Cite this Entry
“Life-threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life-threatening. Accessed 25 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
life-threatening
adjective
life-threat·en·ing
ˈlīf-ˌthret-ən-iŋ
: capable of causing death : potentially fatal
life-threatening injuries
a life-threatening allergic reaction
life-threatening arrhythmia
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