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

Four people sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the incident, Losat said. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026

The woman who said she was shot by her brother was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Nowels said. — CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

But measles infections during pregnancy pose severe, life-threatening risks to both pregnant people and fetuses. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026

Research also shows that children admitted to intensive care settings for managing life-threatening illness are more likely to receive care that aligns with their goals. — Emilee Flynn, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Medical 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