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
Haiti and the Dominican Republic will also face life-threatening flash flooding and landslides.
—
Solcyré Burga, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
The two-time gold medalist was suffered a a life-threatening injury from a ski crash at the Stifel Killington Cup in Vermont last November.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, the southeastern Bahamas will see rain totals of 4 to 8 inches, hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge.
—Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2025
Their strong magnetic pull can cause parts of the digestive tract to stick together, leading to severe complications such as pressure necrosis, perforation or life-threatening infections, according to the report.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for life-threatening
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Solcyré Burga, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
The two-time gold medalist was suffered a a life-threatening injury from a ski crash at the Stifel Killington Cup in Vermont last November.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, the southeastern Bahamas will see rain totals of 4 to 8 inches, hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge.
—Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2025
Their strong magnetic pull can cause parts of the digestive tract to stick together, leading to severe complications such as pressure necrosis, perforation or life-threatening infections, according to the report.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 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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