life-threatening

adjective

life-threat·​en·​ing ˈlīf-ˌthre-tᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce life-threatening (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital, authorities added. Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 10 June 2026 In the third episode of the Hulu show about twentysomethings pursuing their careers in Manhattan, Davis (Will Angus) attempts to impress AJ (Ella Hunt) by eating seafood despite his life-threatening shellfish allergy. Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026 Freedom was pronounced dead at the scene, and Martins suffered life-threatening injuries. Wcco Staff, CBS News, 10 June 2026 The victim’s injuries aren’t life-threatening, according to police, and he was reported to be in stable condition at the hospital. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for life-threatening

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of life-threatening was in 1759

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Life-threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life-threatening. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

Medical Definition

life-threatening

adjective
life-threat·​en·​ing ˈlīf-ˌthret-ən-iŋ How to pronounce life-threatening (audio)
: capable of causing death : potentially fatal
life-threatening injuries
a life-threatening allergic reaction
life-threatening arrhythmia
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster