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
The victim was taken with non-life-threatening injuries to a hospital, according to the police spokesperson.
—
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025
Police confirmed in a press conference on Sunday that four people were later discharged, but two remain in a life-threatening condition.
—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Ten people were taken to the hospital by ambulance, nine of whom were in life-threatening condition, while another person later self-presented that evening.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Loveless also gave an update on the wounded, reducing the number in life-threatening condition from nine to two.
—NPR, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for life-threatening
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Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025
Police confirmed in a press conference on Sunday that four people were later discharged, but two remain in a life-threatening condition.
—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Ten people were taken to the hospital by ambulance, nine of whom were in life-threatening condition, while another person later self-presented that evening.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Loveless also gave an update on the wounded, reducing the number in life-threatening condition from nine to two.
—NPR, 2 Nov. 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 7 Nov. 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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