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

Depending on how much kidney tissue ends up being lost, this can be life-threatening as well. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

The victim was taken to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Five elderly people, three of whom fell due to strong winds, suffered non-life-threatening injuries in Okinawa while another person was injured in Kagoshima prefecture, authorities said. — Reuters, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026

That particular strain is known to produce Shiga toxin, which can lead to severe stomach illness and a life-threatening kidney condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 7 Aug. 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